Satellite Collision Avoidance Should Be Tech Neutral: Operators

Though backing a requirement of maneuverability above the International Space Station, small-satellite operators urged the FCC not to mandate that the maneuverability requirement include propulsion. In a docket 18-313 post Monday, Planet Labs, Myriota, Spire Global, Loft Orbital Solutions, Care Weather Technologies, Hiber and Totum Labs said collision-avoidance standards should be technology neutral. Dismissing differential drag as an option "is unwarranted and premature," they said. If there's a propulsion requirement, it should exempt smaller systems as determined by total fleet mass, not number of satellites, they said.