SpaceX Seeks Lower Altitude OK for Direct-to-Device Payloads

SpaceX wants to go lower with its planned 7,500 second-generation satellites that would provide direct-to-device (D2D) service. In an application modification posted Monday, it asked the FCC Space Bureau to add 340-360 km orbital shells as a deployment option. It said those lower orbits "will come at a significant additional cost to SpaceX [but] enhance space sustainability by further reducing collision risk and passive decay time." It said the lower orbits also would make for better spectrum sharing. The D2D application seeks approval for operating at 525 km, 530 km and 535 km altitudes.