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SpaceX may face a legal challenge from a rival satellite operator who has called for a halt to Starlink launches pending an environmental review of the megaconstellation.
Broadband firm Viasat called on the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Friday to stay a license modification allowing for Starlink’s expansion in low orbit.
The megaconstellation, which promises to offer high-speed internet access around the globe, presently numbers more than 1,600 satellites.
To reduce projected lag in the network, SpaceX requested the FCC approve a change to their original plans, bringing some 2,800 satellites into lower orbits.
Viasat intends to make the case in federal court that the FCC needed to conduct an environmental impact assessment before giving the go ahead for this change.
The firm’s stated concerns — which have been mirrored by scientists — include around how the Starlink constellation is affecting astronomical observations.
Other environmental worries include the megaconstellation’s potential to increase orbital debris and pollute the atmosphere by means of disintegrating satellites.
SpaceX may face a legal challenge from a rival satellite operator who has called for a halt to Starlink launches pending an environmental review of the megaconstellation. Pictured: an artist’s impression of two Starlink satellites in Earth orbit
The FCC’s original license to SpaceX permitted them to establish a constellation of 4,409 Starlink satellites , with 2,825 at an distance of 684–808 miles (1,100–1,300 km) and another 1,584 at 342 miles (550 km), which are in low Earth orbit.
However, on April 27 this year, the commission approved an application from SpaceX to modify the license — moving the satellites in higher orbits down to 342 miles (550 km) and lowering the total planned number of satellites by one to 4,408.
According to SpaceX, the change of plans was needed to reduce the latency, or lag, between the satellites and the ground, thereby improving the quality of video calls, gaming experiences and other applications for users making use of the network.
Providing low signal latency was a qualifying criteria for $890 million (£628 million) in funding the FCC awarded Space X back in December as part of the first phase of the so-called ‘Rural Digital Opportunity Fund’.
This scheme aims to ensure the delivery of broadband services to homes and businesses in the United States where such is presently not available.
SpaceX exceeded the 1,584 low Earth orbit satellites permitted by its original license after launching a batch of 52 new craft on May 15 — with another 60 scheduled to be ferried into orbit today, marking the thirteenth Starlink launch of this year.
Viasat — which is headquartered in Carlsbad, California — said that it had petitioned the FCC to conduct a thorough environmental review before granting SpaceX its license modification, but that the commission had rejected this request.
‘We believe the FCC failed to conduct a legally required environmental review under National Environmental Policy Act [NEPA],’ Viasat’s chief officer for global government and regulatory affairs, John Janka, told SpaceNews.
Furthermore, he argued, the FCC ‘did not honour the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to a science-based approach to protecting the atmosphere, the Earth’s climate, space and the well-being of US citizens.’
‘As such, we have asked the Commission to stay its order until the federal courts review its legality.’
The FCC’s original license to SpaceX permitted them to establish a constellation of 4,409 Starlink satellites , with 2,825 at an distance of 684–808 miles (1,100–1,300 km) and another 1,584 at 342 miles (550 km), which are in low Earth orbit. However, on April 27 this year, the commission approved an application from SpaceX to modify the license — moving the satellites in higher orbits down to 342 miles (550 km) and lowering the total planned number of satellites by one to 4,408. Pictured: Starlink satellites ready for orbital deployment
Defending its decision not to perform an environmental assessment under NEPA, the FCC said that the act did not cover the risks from light pollution.
Furthermore, they noted that the Federal Aviation Administration undertakes its own reviews as part of their process for licensing satellite launches.
However, the commission said that it did encourage SpaceX to continue to work with astronomers to mitigate the brightness of their satellites in the night sky.
Viasat have announced that — should the FCC not grant a stay to the modified license by June 1 — that they will push for such in the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals.
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