Viasat, Amazon Raise SpaceX Lower-Orbit Concerns With FCC

Given the high failure rate of SpaceX's Starlink satellites, the FCC can either demand the company explain how issues are being resolved or do nothing and signal that satellite operators don't have to ensure their constellations meet commitments in their applications, Viasat representatives told aides to Chairman Ajit Pai, per an International Bureau posting Thursday. The company said the FCC should demand answers and validate them before allowing SpaceX to launch any more satellites and before approving SpaceX's request to operate at a lower orbit (see 2004200003). Separately, Amazon's Kuiper said the lower orbit must be denied for safety reasons, unless SpaceX can guarantee orbital tolerances that limit overlap with Kuiper. SpaceX didn't comment Friday.