Sec.  25.114   Applications for space station authorizations.

   (a) A comprehensive proposal shall be submitted for each proposed space
   station on FCC Form 312, Main Form and Schedule S, together with attached
   exhibits as described in paragraph (d) of this section.

   (b) Each application for a new or modified space station authorization must
   constitute a concrete proposal for Commission evaluation. Each application
   must  also  contain  the  formal waiver required by section 304 of the
   Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. 304. The technical information for a proposed
   satellite system specified in paragraph (c) of this section must be filed on
   FCC Form 312, Main Form and Schedule S. The technical information for a
   proposed satellite system specified in paragraph (d) of this section need
   not be filed on any prescribed form but should be complete in all pertinent
   details. Applications for all new space station authorizations must be filed
   electronically through the International Bureau Filing System (IBFS) in
   accordance with the applicable provisions of part 1, subpart Y of this
   chapter.

   (c) The following information shall be filed on FCC Form 312, Main Form and
   Schedule S:

   (1) Name, address, and telephone number of the applicant;

   (2) Name, address, and telephone number of the person(s), including counsel,
   to whom inquiries or correspondence should be directed;

   (3)  Type  of authorization requested (e.g., launch authority, station
   license, modification of authorization);

   (4)(i) Radio frequencies and polarization plan (including beacon, telemetry,
   and  telecommand  functions),  center  frequency  and  polarization of
   transponders (both receiving and transmitting frequencies),

   (ii)  Emission  designators and allocated bandwidth of emission, final
   amplifier output power (identify any net losses between output of final
   amplifier and input of antenna and specify the maximum EIRP for each antenna
   beam),

   (iii) Identification of which antenna beams are connected or switchable to
   each transponder and TT&C function,

   (iv) Receiving system noise temperature,

   (v) The relationship between satellite receive antenna gain pattern and
   gain-to-temperature ratio and saturation flux density for each antenna beam
   (may be indicated on antenna gain plot),

   (vi) The gain of each transponder channel (between output of receiving
   antenna and input of transmitting antenna) including any adjustable gain
   step capabilities, and

   (vii)  Predicted  receiver  and  transmitter  channel  filter response
   characteristics.

   (5) For satellites in geostationary-satellite orbit,

   (i) Orbital location, or locations if alternatives are proposed, requested
   for the satellite,

   (ii) The factors that support the orbital assignment or assignments proposed
   in paragraph (c)(5)(i) of this section,

   (iii) Longitudinal tolerance or east-west station-keeping capability;

   (iv) Inclination incursion or north-south station-keeping capability.

   (6) For satellites in non-geostationary-satellite orbits,

   (i) The number of space stations and applicable information relating to the
   number of orbital planes,

   (ii) The inclination of the orbital plane(s),

   (iii) The orbital period,

   (iv) The apogee,

   (v) The perigee,

   (vi) The argument(s) of perigee,

   (vii) Active service arc(s), and

   (viii) Right ascension of the ascending node(s).

   (7) For satellites in geostationary-satellite orbit, accuracy with which the
   orbital inclination, the antenna axis attitude, and longitudinal drift will
   be maintained;

   (8) Calculation of power flux density levels within each coverage area and
   of the energy dispersal, if any, needed for compliance with  Sec. 25.208, for
   angles of arrival of 5 °, 10 °, 15 °, 20 °, and 25 ° above the horizontal;

   (9) Arrangement for tracking, telemetry, and control;

   (10) Physical characteristics of the space station including weight and
   dimensions of spacecraft, detailed mass (on ground and in-orbit) and power
   (beginning and end of life) budgets, and estimated operational lifetime and
   reliability of the space station and the basis for that estimate;

   (11) A clear and detailed statement of whether the space station is to be
   operated  on  a  common  carrier  basis, or whether non-common carrier
   transactions are proposed. If non-common carrier transactions are proposed,
   describe  the  nature  of  the  transactions and specify the number of
   transponders to be offered on a non-common carrier basis;

   (12) Dates by which construction will be commenced and completed, launch
   date, and estimated date of placement into service.

   (13) The polarization information specified in  Sec.  Sec. 25.210(a)(1), (a)(3), and
   (i), to the extent applicable.

   (d) The following information in narrative form shall be contained in each
   application:

   (1)  General  description of overall system facilities, operations and
   services;

   (2) If applicable, the feeder link and inter-satellite service frequencies
   requested for the satellite, together with any demonstration otherwise
   required  by  this  chapter  for  use of those frequencies (see, e.g.,
    Sec.  Sec. 25.203(j) and (k));

   (3) Predicted space station antenna gain contour(s) for each transmit and
   each receive antenna beam and nominal orbital location requested. These
   contour(s) should be plotted on an area map at 2 dB intervals down to 10 dB
   below the peak value of the parameter and at 5 dB intervals between 10 dB
   and  20  dB  below  the  peak values, with the peak value and sense of
   polarization clearly specified on each plotted contour. For applications for
   geostationary orbit satellites, this information must be provided in the
   .gxt format.

   (4) A description of the types of services to be provided, and the areas to
   be served, including a description of the transmission characteristics and
   performance objectives for each type of proposed service, details of the
   link noise budget, typical or baseline earth station parameters, modulation
   parameters, and overall link performance analysis (including an analysis of
   the effects of each contributing noise and interference source);

   (5) Calculation of power flux density levels within each coverage area and
   of  the  energy dispersal, if any, needed for compliance with  Sec. 25.208;
   Calculation of power flux density levels within each coverage area and of
   the energy dispersal, if any, needed for compliance with  Sec. 25.208, for angles
   of arrival other than 5 °, 10 °, 15 °, 20 °, and 25 ° above the horizontal.

   (6) Public interest considerations in support of grant;

   (7) Applications for authorizations for fixed-satellite space stations shall
   also include the information specified in  Sec. 25.140;

   (8) Applications for authorizations in the Mobile-Satellite Service in the
   1545–1559/1646.5–1660.5  MHz  frequency  bands  shall also provide all
   information necessary to comply with the policies and procedures set forth
   in Rules and Policies Pertaining to the Use of Radio Frequencies in a Land
   Mobile Satellite Service, 2 FCC Rcd 485 (1987) (Available at address in
    Sec. 0.445 of this chapter.);

   (9) Applications to license multiple space station systems in the non-voice,
   non-geostationary mobile-satellite service under blanket operating authority
   shall also provide all information specified in  Sec. 25.142; and

   (10) Applications for authorizations in the 1.6/2.4 GHz Mobile-Satellite
   Service shall also provide all information specified in  Sec. 25.143.

   (11)  In addition to a statement of whether the space station is to be
   operated  on  a  common  carrier  basis, or whether non-common carrier
   transactions  are  proposed, as specified in paragraph (c)(11) of this
   section, satellite applications in the Direct Broadcast Satellite service
   must provide a clear and detailed statement of whether the space station is
   to be operated on a broadcast or non-broadcast basis.

   (12) Applications for authorizations in the non-geostationary satellite
   orbit fixed-satellite service (NGSO FSS) in the bands 10.7 GHz to 14.5 GHz
   shall also provide all information specified in  Sec. 25.146.

   (13) For satellite applications in the Direct Broadcast Satellite service,
   if  the  proposed system's technical characteristics differ from those
   specified in the Appendix 30 BSS Plans, the Appendix 30A feeder link Plans,
   Annex 5 to Appendix 30 or Annex 3 to Appendix 30A, each applicant shall
   provide:

   (i) The information requested in Appendix 4 of the ITU's Radio Regulations.
   Further, applicants shall provide sufficient technical showing that the
   proposed system could operate satisfactorily if all assignments in the BSS
   and feeder link Plans were implemented.

   (ii) Analyses of the proposed system with respect to the limits in Annex 1
   to Appendices 30 and 30A.

   (14) A description of the design and operational strategies that will be
   used to mitigate orbital debris, including the following information:

   (i) 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;

   (ii) 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 should
   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;

   (iii) 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 must 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, that fact should be included in
   the  debris mitigation disclosure. Such systems must also indicate the
   anticipated evolution over time of the orbit of the proposed satellite or
   satellites.  Where  a  space  station  requests  the  assignment  of a
   geostationary-Earth orbit location, it must 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 must include a statement as to the identities
   of those parties and the measures that will be taken to prevent collisions;

   (iv) 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 must disclose the altitude selected for a
   post-mission disposal orbit and the calculations that are used in deriving
   the disposal altitude. The statement must also include a casualty risk
   assessment if planned post-mission disposal involves atmospheric re-entry of
   the space station. In general, an assessment should include an estimate as
   to whether portions of the spacecraft will survive re-entry and reach the
   surface of the Earth, as well as an estimate of the resulting probability of
   human casualty.

   (e) Applicants requesting authority to launch and operate a system comprised
   of technically identical, non-geostationary satellite orbit space stations
   may file a single “blanket” application containing the information specified
   in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section for each representative space
   station.

   [ 68 FR 63997 , Nov. 12, 2003, as amended at  69 FR 29901 , May 26, 2004;  69 FR 47794 , Aug. 6, 2004;  69 FR 54587 , Sept. 9, 2004]