SpaceX Left Starlink Questions Unanswered: Viasat

Citing what it says are holes in the safety-related information in SpaceX's semiannual status report (see 2107060001), Viasat told the FCC International Bureau Monday that SpaceX needs to drill down more deeply on such issues as the number of conjunction events identified for Starlink satellites and difficulties encountered in collision avoidance. It said SpaceX failed to disclose its seeming intent to quit using in-orbit "screening" of satellites at very low orbits to ensure they're functioning before being raised to their operational orbits, though CEO Elon Musk said SpaceX will start injecting its Starlink satellites into their target orbits directly. SpaceX didn't comment Tuesday.