O3b Sees Red Flags Raised Over MEO Constellation Expansion Plans

O3b's pending modification of its market access grant, which would add 70 satellites to its 20-satellite medium earth orbit system (see 2005270010), raised some concerns from other satcom operators, in FCC International Bureau filings this week. O3b's expansion plans are relatively modest compared with mega constellations, but the FCC should still "take a hard look at the orbital safety implications" of its proposal, Viasat said. It said the agency should obtain information on aggregate collision risk associated with the expanded system and the increased risk of collisions due to the changes in orbital parameters over time. Viasat also said the agency should ensure the larger system continues to protect geostationary orbit systems. Amazon's Kuiper said the increased number of satellites means the modified market access grant should be treated as newly filed as part of the 2020 processing round, and subject to the same conditions as other 2020 processing round licensees, including having to protect prior-round systems. Iridium urged denial of the part of the Ob3 application on intersatellite links in the 19.4-19.6 GHz band, since it's not clear from O3b's application whether such non-conforming operations would interfere with Iridium's primary operations in the band. O3b asked that the links portion of its application be held in abeyance to allow discussion of Iridium's concerns in light of the 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference's Agenda Item 1.17, dealing with intersatellite links.