Attachment Planet Labs - Commis

Planet Labs - Commis

REQUEST submitted by IB,FCC

Commission Request For Additional Information

2015-11-13

This document pretains to SAT-MOD-20150802-00053 for Modification on a Satellite Space Stations filing.

IBFS_SATMOD2015080200053_1115353

Federal Communications Commission Washington, D.C. 20554 November 13, 2015 Mr. Michael Safyan Director of Launch and Regulatory Planet Labs Inc. 346 9°" St. San Francisco, CA 94103 Re: Planet Labs Inc. Application for Modification of NGSO Authorization to Launch and Operate Earth Imagery Satellite Systems IBFS File No. SAT—MOD—20150802—00053, Call Sign $2912 Dear Mr. Safyan: On August 2, 2015, Planet Labs Inc. (Planet Labs) filed an application to modify its license for a non—geostationary orbit Earth Exploration Satellite Service constellation by requesting authority to launch up to 600 satellites, with up to 200 satellites simultaneously operating at any given time.‘ The request seeks to deploy and operate satellites in orbits ranging from 350 km up to 720 km, with the majority of satellites being launched to a circular orbit at 475—km altitude." The application includes a plan to mitigate the creation and effects of orbital debris. To evaluate whether the proposed the orbital debris mitigation plan is in the public interest, we ask Planet Labs to provide supplemental information.* Specifically, we ask Planet Labs to provide information regarding the aggregate risk of accidental collision with catalogued space objects from the proposed satellite constellation, both during operations and disposal. In particular, please provide a worst case scenario for the risk of accidental collisions, for example assuming all satellites are deployed in the longest—lived orbit, as well as any alternative scenarios that model anticipated realistic deployment patterns. Please also address whether variations in the solar cycle — particularly the possibility of lower than average sunspot activity in cycle 25 — would have any impact on the orbital lifetimes of the proposed constellation or on the aggregate risk of accidental collisions identified above. \ See Application, Exhibit 43 at 1. Id. at 1—3. The application states that the proposed space segment will be comprised of up to 200 simultaneously operating satellites with a minimum circular altitude of 350 km and a maximum circular altitude of 660 km. The application also proposes elliptical orbits, with a maximum apogee of 720 km. Id. at 3. 347 C.FR. § 25.111(a)

Federal Communications Commission We ask that Planet Labs provide this requested information by December 11, 2015, in order to continue the consideration of Planet Lab‘s application.* Sincerely, TEsL AUDMLW ie ~JFose P. Albuquerqu Chief, Satellite Division International Bureau 447 CFR. § 25.112(c).


Document Created: 2015-11-13 15:50:18
Document Modified: 2015-11-13 15:50:18
© 2025 FCC.report
This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FCC