Elon Musk's Broadband-From-Space Plan Clears Crucial U.S. Hurdle
Elon Musk's Broadband-From-Space Plan Clears Crucial U.S.
Hurdle
FCC chief Pai backs SpaceX new method of internet service
SpaceX had requested authority to deploy 4,425 satellites
By Todd Shields and Dana Hull
February 14, 2018, 8:39 AM PST Updated on February 14,
2018, 10:35 AM PST
Elon Musk’s SpaceX moved closer to another orbital
frontier as regulators advanced its application to launch a low-orbit
constellation of satellites and join a jostling field of operators trying to
cash in on broadband service from space.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai on
Wednesday recommended the agency approve Space Exploration Technologies Corp.’s
application to provide broadband services using satellite technologies in the
U.S. and on a global basis. The proposal now goes to Pai’s four fellow
commissioners for consideration at the agency which earlier approved three
international operators for satellite-broadband operations: OneWeb, Space
Norway AS and Telesat Canada.
“To bridge America’s digital divide, we’ll have to use
innovative technologies,” Pai said in an emailed statement. “Satellite
technology can help reach Americans who live in rural or hard-to-serve places
where fiber optic cables and cell towers do not reach.”
The FCC’s move comes as U.S. politicians call for
improved internet service in rural areas. President Donald Trump’s
infrastructure proposal lists broadband, or high-speed internet service, as eligible
for funding alongside traditional projects such as roads and bridges. Some
Democratic lawmakers have criticized the lack of dedicated broadband funding.
John Taylor, a SpaceX spokesman, didn’t immediately
comment or give further details on the company’s plans, but the FCC last year
said SpaceX had requested authority to deploy and operate a constellation of
4,425 satellites operating roughly 700 to 800 miles above the Earth (or
1,110-to-1325 kilometers).
Musk founded SpaceX in 2002 to revolutionize space
technology, with the ultimate goal of enabling people to live on other planets.
The Hawthorne, California-based company currently flies the Falcon 9 rocket and
last week launched the Falcon Heavy, the world’s most powerful rocket in 45
years. SpaceX flew two of its spent boosters back to the Florida coast for a
simultaneous recovery on land.
SpaceX’s customers include commercial satellite
operators, the U.S. space agency NASA and the U.S. military.
Entering the satellite broadband market would add to
Musk’s already wide array of business pursuits. The billionaire sells electric
cars, solar products and batteries through Tesla Inc. and has been hawking hats
and flamethrowers to fund Boring Co., which plans to build underground tunnels
for cities including Los Angeles. He also co-founded Neuralink, which is
developing technology to connect human brains with computers, and OpenAI, a
nonprofit advocating for the responsible development of artificial intelligence.
The broadband project is to get an early test component
on Saturday, when SpaceX is slated to launch a pair of demonstration
satellites, known as Microsat-2a and -2b, to test a broadband antenna to be
included in the proposed constellation, according to a SpaceX document filed
with the FCC. The rocket to be launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in
California also will carry Spain’s PAZ satellite.
Pai, the Republican FCC chief, said SpaceX’s program
could help “unleash the power of satellite constellations to provide high-speed
internet to rural Americans.”
The approval would be the first given to an
American-based company to provide broadband services using a new generation of
low-Earth orbit satellite technologies, Pai said.
Satellites will play a critical role in Musk’s efforts to
reach his ultimate role of establishing a human settlement on Mars. Building a
commercial satellite business will provide SpaceX with revenue and
communications know-how that will eventually serve his Martian aspirations.
“We’re going to try to do for satellites what we’ve done
for rockets,” said Musk during an interview with Bloomberg Television in
January 2015.
In order for large broadband constellations to deliver
services in the U.S., the FCC must approve their operations to ensure the
satellites don’t interfere with other uses, and will operate in a way that
lowers the risk of collisions.
The FCC last year gave OneWeb access to the U.S. market
using a proposed fleet of 720 satellites, and granted Telesat access to the
market via 117 satellites already authorized by Canada. Space Norway won
approval for two satellites.
Telesat last year said its service would suffer
interference from SpaceX’s operations as proposed, and asked the FCC to deny
permission.
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