Special Temporary Authority application - Applicant Name
Name of Applicant:
Christopher Kidd Walker
Special Temporary Authority application - Best Contact
First Name:
Christopher
Last Name:
Walker
Phone Number:
5203312442
Title:
Professaor of Astronomy, University of Arizona
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:
2026-03-23 00:00:00.0
Signature of Applicant (Authorized person filing form):
Christopher K. Walker
Title of Applicant (if any):
Professor of Astronomy, University of Arizona
Special Temporary Authority application - Explanation
Please explain in the area below why an STA is necessary:
I am the faculty advisor for the University of Arizonas student satellite CatSat (K7CKW) which has been in operation on orbit since July 2024. The students are in daily communications with it. It is expected to remain in orbit to the end of this year. We have been approached by a company, Sedaro, who would like to test out some software on CatSat near the end of its life. In exchange, they would provide student training on the software and funds to the University for our SmallSat program. CatSat is licensed under Part 97 (using my amateur radio license as a space node). Since a commercial company is involved, a Part 5 Experimental License is needed for related communications between CatSat and its ground stations.
Special Temporary Authority application - Information
Callsign:
WA8XCP
Class of Station:
FX
Nature of Service:
Experimental
Special Temporary Authority application - Initial values - Requested Period of Operation
Operation Start Date:
06/01/2026
Special Temporary Authority application - Manufacturer
Equipment 1 Experimental
No
Equipment 1 Manufacturer
GOMSpace
Equipment 1 Model Number
GS100
Equipment 1 No. Of Units
1
Special Temporary Authority application - Purpose of Operation
Please explain the purpose of operation:
CatSat would be used as a platform for testing commercial software during the last 5 months of its orbital lifetime.
Special Temporary Authority application - Requested Period of Operation