Higher-Band Spectrum Could Be Fertile for Launch, Blue Origin Says

Along with proposed changes to the UHF and S bands to tackle launch congestion spectrum, the FCC should also look at higher bands to support such uses as astronaut video or high-bandwidth research payloads, representatives of space launch company Blue Origin told FCC International Bureau staffers, according to a docket 13-115 posting Friday. It said the 4500-4800 MHz band, currently used for fixed satellite downloads, is a possibility, as are other parts of the C or X band. Blue Origin said minimum 40 MHz channel sizes are needed. As the FCC looks at the 2200-2900 MHz band for launch use, look at amending the allocation table to add co-primary nonfederal space operation service to portions of band, the company said.