SpaceX Seeks Blanket Ka-Band Gateway License, Citing FCC 'Burden'

SpaceX seeks a blanket license for Ka-band earth stations that will each communicate simultaneously with up to eight of its first-generation satellites and up to 32 of its second-gen satellites, it told the FCC Space Bureau Wednesday. SpaceX said the earth stations would transmit in the 28.35-29.1 GHz and 29.5- 30.0 GHz bands and receive in the 17.8-18.6 GHz and 18.8-19.3 GHz bands. It said it already is licensed to operate more than 60 gateways using that spectrum, but the blanket license would give it more "flexibility to deploy earth stations where and as needed [and] relieve the burden on the Commission of processing SpaceX Services’ earth station applications."