Special Temporary Authority application - Applicant Name
Name of Applicant:
Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX)
Special Temporary Authority application - Best Contact
First Name:
Peter
Last Name:
Dohm
Phone Number:
(310)363-6842 / 6119
Title:
RF Engineer
Special Temporary Authority application - Certification
Applicant certification
Neither the applicant nor any other party to the application is subject to a denial of Federal benefits that includes FCC benefits pursuant to Section 5301 of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, 21 U.S.C. Section 862, because of a conviction for possession or distribution of a controlled substance. The applicant hereby waives any claim to the use of any particular frequency or electromagnetic spectrum as against the regulatory power of the United States because of the prvious use of the same, whether by license or otherwise, and requests authorization in accordance with this application. (See Section 304 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.) The applicant acknowledges that all statements made in this application and attached exhibits are considered material representations, and that all the exhibits part hereof and are incorporated herein as if set out in full in this application; undersigned certifies that all statements in this application are true, complete and correct to the best of his/her knowledge and belief and are made in good faith. Applicant certifies that construction of the station would NOT be an action which is likely to have a significant environmental effect. See the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR1.1301-1.1319.
Date:
2011-10-19 00:00:00.0
Signature of Applicant (Authorized person filing form):
David J. Den Herder
Title of Applicant (if any):
Senior Counsel
Special Temporary Authority application - Explanation
Please explain in the area below why an STA is necessary:
BACKGROUND AND REQUEST FOR EXPEDITED PROCESSING: Pursuant to a Space Act Agreement (SAA) with NASA for Commercial Orbital Transportation Service (COTS) Demonstrations, the Applicant (SpaceX) intends to launch a commercial space capsule, called Dragon, on a demonstration mission to the International Space Station (ISS); then return the capsule safely to Earth. For RF links to and from the spacecraft during this mission, NASA has instructed SpaceX to obtain the relevant authorizations directly from the FCC. Accordingly, SpaceX respectfully requests Expedited Processing of this STA application, pursuant to Section 5.61 of the FCC Rules. As currently scheduled (and coordinated with the Eastern Range), the launch readiness date for this mission is NET December 19, 2011. SCOPE OF APPLICATION: This STA covers the following links: Dragon-TDRSS [S-Band] (space-to-space); Dragon-Ground Stations [S-Band] (space-to-Earth and Earth-to-space); and Dragon-ISS [UHF] (space-to-space). Please note, only 5 of the Ground Stations will be capable of telecommand uplink to Dragon (the remaining Ground Stations, listed in the relevant Exhibit, are receive-only). REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT: The Applicant is requesting Confidential Treatment of the Exhibits pursuant to Sections 0.457(d) and 0.459 of the FCC Rules. Please see attached letter. SUMMARY OF EXHIBITS: (1) Additional Information Regarding Dragon TDRSS S-Band Omnidirectional Link, Including its Associated Power Flux Densities to the Ground; (2) Dragon TDRSS Directional Link Power Flux Density Analysis; (3) Additional Information Regarding Ground Stations; and (4) List of Transmitting Equipment.
Special Temporary Authority application - Information
Callsign:
WF9XGI
Class of Station:
FX MO
Nature of Service:
Experimental
Special Temporary Authority application - Manufacturer
Equipment 1 Experimental
No
Equipment 1 Manufacturer
QUASONIX
Equipment 1 Model Number
QSX-VSR-110-20S
Equipment 1 No. Of Units
1
Special Temporary Authority application - Purpose of Operation
Please explain the purpose of operation:
The purpose of this operation is to demonstrate a low-cost, commercial capability to transport cargo to the International Space Station (ISS) and return it safely to the Earth. The nominal mission profile calls for launch of the capsule from Cape Canaveral into Low Earth Orbit (LEO), followed by ISS proximity operations, berthing with ISS (nominally remaining berthed for several weeks), unberthing, de-orbit maneuvers, re-entry, and splash-down in the Pacific Ocean. The basic orbital parameters for this mission are as follows: Non-Geostationary circular orbit (approx. 407 km); Equatorial Inclination of 52.5 degrees; Period of Orbit is 5400 s. The scheduled launch readiness date for this mission is currently NET December 19, 2011.
Special Temporary Authority application - Requested Period of Operation