Viasat, Hughes Continue to Resist SpaceX License Mod

That SpaceX suggests the FCC can't go back and address the issues raised by allowing 10 SpaceX satellites to operate at a lower orbit because they're already launched underscores the need to tackle those issues through the reconsideration process, Viasat said in an FCC International Bureau filing Friday in response to SpaceX's recon petition opposition (see 2102240005). Viasat said the FCC is obliged to evaluate SpaceX's modified non-geostationary orbit system as a whole, including the lower orbit permitted for 1,584 satellites in 2019. It said the FCC's approval of the 10 satellites ignores the near-term risks of collisions creating clouds of orbital debris. Hughes, recapping a call with staffers including International Bureau Chief Tom Sullivan, said there's "undisputed evidence" of SpaceX noncompliance with equivalent power flux density limits, creating interference risks to incumbent Ka-band geostationary satellite orbit operations. SpaceX didn't comment Monday.