Kuiper Trying to Skirt Buildout Requirements: SpaceX Petition

The proposed modification of the Kuiper non-geostationary orbit satellite constellation authorization is an Amazon tactic to let it continue to delay launching commercial service while avoiding the consequences of that delay, SpaceX told the FCC Space Bureau Monday in a petition to deny. The modification would change the orbital parameters of the constellation and reduce it by four, to 3,232 satellites. SpaceX said Kuiper's proposing to include two prototype satellites in the commercial constellation is a means of "skirting build-out requirements" and letting it claim it has a built system. SpaceX said Kuiper's proposed reorganization of its constellation needs to be accompanied with an explanation of how the reconfiguration can avoid collisions with other operators in similar orbits. With a Chinese mega-constellation beginning to launch, "just crossing fingers is no longer a sufficient strategy -- if it ever was," SpaceX said. It said granting Kuiper the same authority to operate during the launch and early orbit phase that SpaceX received is fine, as the two constellations are similarly situated, but that also reinforces the need to impose on Amazon all the space sustainability conditions applied to SpaceX. Kuiper didn't comment Tuesday.