OneWeb Faces Continuing Radio Astronomy Pushback

OneWeb hasn't shown in any way that its proposed satellite constellation can protect radio astronomy operations in bands adjacent to the planned fixed satellite broadband service downlinks at 10.7-12.75 GHz, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) said in a filing Tuesday in the company's FCC proceeding. OneWeb said it will coordinate in good faith with the radio astronomy community (see 1609020007), but NRAO said it has had little contact with the satellite operator aside from a recommendation that OneWeb hire a particular expert to do simulations of how the company's constellation might affect radio astronomy. The observatory also said it was concerned by "lack of consideration" of the need to protect remote sensing operations that use the 10.68-10.7 GHz passive service band for global climate measurements. NRAO said protection of radio astronomy operations in that passive service band will require heavy filtering "and perhaps other operational means." NRAO previously raised red flags about protecting that passive service band from possible OneWeb out of band emissions (see 1608090037). OneWeb didn't comment Wednesday.