§ 5.64   Special provisions for satellite systems.

   (a) Construction of proposed experimental satellite facilities may begin
   prior to Commission grant of an authorization. Such construction is entirely
   at the applicant's risk and does not entitle the applicant to any assurances
   that  its proposed experiment will be subsequently approved or regular
   services subsequently authorized. The applicant must notify the Commission's
   Office of Engineering and Technology in writing that it plans to begin
   construction at its own risk.

   (b) Except where the satellite system has already been authorized by the
   FCC, applicants for an experimental authorization involving a satellite
   system must submit a description of the design and operational strategies
   the satellite system will use to mitigate orbital debris, including the
   following information:

   (1) A statement that the space station operator has assessed and limited the
   amount of debris released in a planned manner during normal operations, and
   has assessed and limited the probability of the space station becoming a
   source of debris by collisions with small debris or meteoroids that could
   cause loss of control and prevent post-mission disposal;

   (2) A statement that the space station operator has assessed and limited the
   probability of accidental explosions during and after completion of mission
   operations.  This  statement  must include a demonstration that debris
   generation will not result from the conversion of energy sources on board
   the spacecraft into energy that fragments the spacecraft. Energy sources
   include chemical, pressure, and kinetic energy. This demonstration shall
   address whether stored energy will be removed at the spacecraft's end of
   life, by depleting residual fuel and leaving all fuel line valves open,
   venting  any  pressurized system, leaving all batteries in a permanent
   discharge state, and removing any remaining source of stored energy, or
   through  other  equivalent  procedures  specifically  disclosed in the
   application;

   (3) A statement that the space station operator has assessed and limited the
   probability of the space station becoming a source of debris by collisions
   with large debris or other operational space stations. Where a space station
   will be launched into a low-Earth orbit that is identical, or very similar,
   to an orbit used by other space stations, the statement must include an
   analysis  of the potential risk of collision and a description of what
   measures  the  space  station operator plans to take to avoid in-orbit
   collisions. If the space station operator is relying on coordination with
   another system, the statement shall indicate what steps have been taken to
   contact, and ascertain the likelihood of successful coordination of physical
   operations  with,  the  other  system. The statement must disclose the
   accuracy—if any—with which orbital parameters of non-geostationary satellite
   orbit  space  stations  will be maintained, including apogee, perigee,
   inclination, and the right ascension of the ascending node(s). In the event
   that a system is not able to maintain orbital tolerances, i.e., it lacks a
   propulsion system for orbital maintenance, a statement disclosing that fact
   shall be included in the debris mitigation disclosure. Such systems shall
   also  indicate the anticipated evolution over time of the orbit of the
   proposed satellite or satellites. Where a space station operator requests
   the assignment of a geostationary-Earth orbit location, it shall assess
   whether there are any known satellites located at, or reasonably expected to
   be located at, the requested orbital location, or assigned in the vicinity
   of that location, such that the station keeping volumes of the respective
   satellites might overlap. If so, the statement shall identify those parties
   and describe the measures that will be taken to prevent collisions;

   (4) A statement detailing the post-mission disposal plans for the space
   station at end of life, including the quantity of fuel—if any—that will be
   reserved for post-mission disposal maneuvers. For geostationary-Earth orbit
   space stations, the statement shall disclose the altitude selected for a
   post-mission disposal orbit and the calculations that are used in deriving
   the disposal altitude. The statement shall also include a casualty risk
   assessment if planned post-mission disposal involves atmospheric re-entry of
   the  space  station. An assessment shall include a statement as to the
   likelihood that portions of the spacecraft will survive re-entry and reach
   the surface of the Earth, and the probability of human casualty as a result.

   Effective Date Note: At  78 FR 25162 , Apr. 29, 2013, § § 5.64 was added. This
   section contains information collection and recordkeeping requirements and
   will not become effective until approval has been given by the Office of
   Management and Budget.

   return arrow Back to Top