Gogo Wants To Add to its ESAA Satellite Constellation

Gogo wants to add 10 satellites to its blanket license to operate Ku-band earth stations aboard aircraft (ESAA), the satellite company said in an FCC International Bureau filing posted Thursday. The requested satellites to be added as points of communication are AMC-1, Galaxy 17, Intelsat 18, Eutelsat 115 West B, Eutelsat 117 West A, JCSAT-2B, JCSAT-5A, Yamal 500K, Yamal 401 and AsiaSat 7, Gogo said. It no longer will use Satmex-5, and that can be removed from its license, Gogo said. Its ESAA operations "are consistent with the coordination agreements between the satellites ... and operators of adjacent spacecraft," Gogo said. In connection with that application, Gogo filed a separate submission Thursday seeking special temporary authority -- starting by Nov. 6 and running for 60 days -- to allow up to 200 ESAA terminals to communicate with Eutelsat 115 West B and Eutelsat 117 West A. That would allow it to continue servicing flights over North and South America during Satmex-5's replacement and relocation, Gogo said.