The FCC's partial grant of SpaceX's second-generation constellation application last month (see 2212010052) is an abuse of agency discretion under the Administrative Procedure Act and a violation of the National Environmental Policy Act, nonprofit International Dark-Sky Association told the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in a notice of appeal last week (docket 22-1337). The FCC didn't comment Tuesday.

SpaceX is again seeking FCC OK to use the E band for its second-generation Starlink constellation. In an International Bureau special temporary authority application Wednesday, it asked for authority to do downlinks in the 71-76 GHz band segment and plinks in the 81-86 GHz band segment. The agency had deferred licensing that gateway spectrum in its second-gen constellation authorization. SpaceX said it expects to start launching satellites with E-band capacity starting in early February. It said by following ITU interference criteria for protecting passive systems in the 86-92 GHz band, it will guarantee the temporary operations don't interfere with government earth exploration satellite service systems in adjacent bands.

SpaceX launched 54 Starlink satellites Wednesday morning in what was the first deployment of its second-generation constellation, the company said. It marked SpaceX's 60th mission of the year, it tweeted. The launch was aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. SpaceX had said it expects to begin launches of its second-gen Starlinks before month's end (see 2212190046).

Close to 100 of SpaceX's Starlink terminals are now active in Iran, CEO Elon Musk tweeted Monday. He had indicated in September the company might try to provide unfettered internet access there (see 2209230062).

Astro Digital is withdrawing its pending application to allow it to put up another 25 satellites, as well as its pending amendment of that application (see 2207010049), it told the FCC International Bureau Saturday. It said its existing authorization of five satellites should remain unchanged.

Both Inmarsat and Viasat pitched the case for allowing Viasat's $7.3 billion purchase of Inmarsat in a pair of docket 22-153 filings Tuesday in response to FCC requests for more information. Viasat is interested in Inmarsat for its spectrum, satellite and terrestrial assets and the role Viasat can play in a global hybrid space and terrestrial network, Inmarsat told the agency. Inmarsat said the deal accelerates New Viasat's ability to offer global overage and lets it add L-band products and services. It said using Inmarsat satellites for base load capacity in low-usage areas lets it divert more power to areas of higher demand using higher-density, smaller-area beams. Viasat said given the years it takes to design, launch and bring into service new satellites, the purchase would benefit New Viasat far better than deployment of additional satellites, especially given the challenge of getting geostationary orbital slots that would let either company replicate the other's system. It said the deal would make New Viasat a strong competitor in providing in-flight connectivity. Viasat said the Inmarsat transaction would also let it be more competitive in narrowband connectivity areas such as mobile IoT and maritime and aviation safety communications. Viasat said the deal doesn't affect its plans for deploying its ViaSat-3 constellation. Both operators said the deal would mean New Viasat would spend less on buying third-party satellite capacity. The acquisition is expected to get regulatory approval (see 2111080038).

The launch of C-band replacement satellites SES-18 and -19 was expected this year but now is scheduled for sometime between March 6 and 12, SES said Friday in docket 18-122. The launch was delayed by a holdup from the original Northrop Grumman delivery and the priority of U.S. government launches, SES said. SES-18 and -19 should commence operations by April's end, it said. It said SES-21, launched in October, began service on Dec. 1 and services are being transitioned to it. SES-20 is on track to arrive at its orbital slot by month's end, and it will be an in-orbit spare. SES said it's about 68% of the way through phase two of the C-band relocation satellite transitions, with its installers having complete installation of blue bandpass filters at about 65% of the earth station locations associated with its satellites, it said. It said close to 100% of the antennas associated with its second-phase transition schedule have been installed.

The space application review process streamlining NPRM adopted 4-0 by the FCC this week (see 2212210054) raises the question of whether the agency should eliminate altogether its limits on non-geostationary orbit satellite systems. That question wasn't in the draft of the NPRM, according to our side-by-side comparison. The adopted NPRM released Thursday also asks about ways of avoiding some errors, omissions and inconsistencies in application filings, such as through more completeness and compliance checks in the initial application process -- language not in the draft. The adopted NPRM also adds language about possible ways of streamlining inter-bureau reviews of shared spectrum bands. It adds a series of questions about deadlines for satellite and earth station applications or making a determination about their filing acceptability, and about the use more broadly of shot clocks for action on some type of satellite or earth station applications.

AST SpaceMobile's satellite-provided mobile service will help expand FirstNet coverage in areas currently without it, AT&T Network President Chris Sambar said in a video released Tuesday by AST. Citing AST's planned direct-to-cell network, Sambar said, "What a terrific opportunity to be able to provide that to first responders as an augment to the FirstNet program." He said AT&T also anticipates using AST coverage to fill in gaps in its terrestrial wireless network.

MethaneSAT seeks FCC approval for a sole S-band non-geostationary orbit satellite designed to quantify global methane emissions, it said in an International Bureau application Monday.