April 18, 2019 FCC FACT SHEET* Theia Authorization Memorandum Opinion, Order and Authorization–IBFS File No. SAT-LOA-20161115
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April 18, 2019 FCC FACT SHEET* Theia Authorization Memorandum Opinion, Order and Authorization–IBFS File No. SAT-LOA-20161115-00121 and SAT- AMD-20170301-00029 Background: Theia Holdings A, Inc. seeks authority to construct, launch, and operate a non- geostationary-satellite orbit (NGSO) fixed-satellite service, mobile-satellite service, and earth exploration-satellite service constellation consisting of 112 satellites. The proposed grant would allow Theia to provide high-resolution earth-imaging data in the United States and globally. What the Order Would Do: • Grant Theia’s request to operate in the following frequency bands: o K band: 10.7-11.7 GHz, 11.7-12.2 GHz, 12.2-12.7 GHz, 12.75-13.25 GHz, and 14.0-14.5 GHz bands. o Ka band: 17.8-18.3 GHz, 18.3-18.6 GHz, 18.8-19.3 GHz, 19.3-19.4 GHz, 19.6-19.7 GHz, 19.7-20.2 GHz, 27.5-28.6 GHz, 28.6-29.1 GHz, 29.5-30.0 GHz bands. o V band: 37.5-42.5 GHz, 47.2-50.2 GHz, and 50.4-51.4 GHz bands. • Defer action on Theia’s request to use the 25.5-27.0 GHz frequency band until the Commission addresses pending issues regarding that band in the Spectrum Frontiers Proceeding. • Grant Theia’s request to use the 1215-1300 MHz frequency band to collect high-resolution synthetic aperture radar imaging, subject to conditions. • Specify conditions to protect or accommodate other operations, including: o Geostationary-orbit (GSO) satellite operations: Theia would protect GSO operations by meeting specific equivalent power-flux density limits. o Non-geostationary orbit satellite operations: Theia would comply with the sharing methods specified in the Commission’s rules for any NGSO system licensed or granted U.S. market access pursuant to the same processing round. o Terrestrial operations: Theia must comply with Commission rules and protect terrestrial operations by meeting power-flux density limits. In particular, Theia would be required to protect Upper Microwave Flexible Use Service in certain frequency bands. __________________________ * This document is being released as part of a "permit-but-disclose" proceeding. Any presentations or views on the subject expressed to the Commission or its staff, including by email, must be filed in IBFS File No. SAT-LOA- 20161115-00121 and/or SAT-AMD-20170301-00029, which may be accessed via the International Bureau Filing System (https://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs). Before filing, participants should familiarize themselves with the Commission’s ex parte rules, including the general prohibition on presentations (written and oral) on matters listed on the Sunshine Agenda, which is typically released a week prior to the Commission’s meeting. See 47 CFR § 1.1200 et seq. Federal Communications Commission FCC -CIRC1905-06 Before the Federal Communications Commission Washington, D.C. 20554 In the Matter of ) ) Theia Holdings A, Inc. ) IBFS File No. SAT-LOA-20161115-00121 ) and SAT-AMD-20170301-00029 Request for Authority to Launch and Operate a ) Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit System in the ) Call Sign S2986 Fixed-Satellite Service, Mobile-Satellite Service, ) and Earth-Exploration Satellite Service ) ) MEMORANDUM OPINION, ORDER AND AUTHORIZATION* Adopted: [ ] Released: [ ] By the Commission: I. INTRODUCTION 1. In this Memorandum Opinion, Order and Authorization (Order), we grant, to the extent set forth below, those portions of the application of Theia Holdings A, Inc. (Theia), as amended,1 to construct, launch, and operate a non-geostationary-satellite orbit (NGSO) satellite system using frequencies in the earth exploration satellite service (EESS)2 and fixed-satellite service (FSS) that the * This document has been circulated for tentative consideration by the Commission at its May 2019 open meeting. The issues referenced in this document and the Commission’s ultimate resolutions of those issues remain under consideration and subject to change. This document does not constitute any official action by the Commission. However, the Chairman has determined that, in the interest of promoting the public’s ability to understand the nature and scope of issues under consideration, the public interest would be served by making this document publicly available. The Commissions ex parte rules apply and presentations are subject to “permit-but-disclose” ex parte rules. See, e.g., 47 CFR §§1.1206, 1.1200(a). Participants in this proceeding should familiarize themselves with the Commission’s ex parte rules, including the general prohibition on presentations (written and oral) on matters listed in the Sunshine Agenda, which is typically released a week prior to the Commission’s meeting. See 47 CFR §§ 1.200(a), 1.1203. 1 Theia Holdings A, Inc., Application for Launch and Operating Authority, IBFS File No. SAT-LOA-20161115- 00121 (filed Nov. 15, 2016) (Theia Application), as amended by IBFS File No. SAT-AMD-20170301-00029 (filed Mar. 1, 2017) (V-band Amendment). In addition, Theia submitted a letter agreeing to adopt certain measures to mitigate the risk of interference to Radionavigation-Satellite Service (RNSS) receivers operating in the 1215-1300 MHz frequency band. Letter from Joseph Fargnoli, Chief Technology Officer, Theia Group to Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, FCC (dated June 1, 2018) (June 1 Letter). 2 The EESS is, “[a] radiocommunication service between earth stations and one or more space stations, which may include links between space stations, in which: (1) Information relating to the characteristics of the Earth and its natural phenomena, including data relating to the state of the environment, is obtained from active sensors or passive sensors on Earth satellites; (2) Similar information is collected from airborne or Earth-based platforms; (3) Such information may be distributed to earth stations within the system concerned; and (4) Platform interrogation may be included. This service may also include feeder links necessary for its operation.” 47 CFR § 2.1. (continued….) Federal Communications Commission FCC-CIRC1905-06 International Bureau accepted for filing.3 Theia proposes a constellation of 112 active NGSO satellites and 8 on-orbit spare satellites to conduct imaging of the entire surface of the Earth.4 Theia intends to operate these satellites in 8 planes at an average altitude of 800 kilometers (for active satellites)5 with an inclination of 98.6 degrees. Theia states that its constellation will be part of a global remote sensing and communications system capable of obtaining, processing, and delivering remote sensing analytics and broadband connectivity directly to commercial, industrial, and consumer customers via an integrated communications network.6 Theia proposes to capture continuous visible and broad infrared video of the entire Earth, near continuous high-resolution hyperspectral and active radar data, and microwave radiometer data and provide this data to individuals and institutions around the world.7 Theia states that data derived from its constellation will be used to provide a range of services, including precision agriculture analytics, surveying and monitoring of infrastructure, and real-time geophysical information and first responder support.8 Theia notes its proposed system will vastly increase the Earth-imaging data available to consumers.9 2. We grant Theia’s application in part, subject to conditions. In authorizing Theia’s system, we address concerns expressed by commenters seeking various conditions on the license and requests by Theia for waiver of certain rule provisions.10 Grant of Theia’s application will facilitate the development of new capabilities for satellite-delivered services and enhance the availability and quality of imaging data in the United States and globally. II. BACKGROUND 3. Application. Theia proposes to use the 1215-1300 MHz band, which is allocated to EESS, for its remote sensing operations. It proposes to transmit data to gateway earth stations in the 25.5-27.0 GHz frequency band, which is allocated to EESS (space-to-Earth), as well as in frequencies in the Ka- band11 and the V-band12 in the FSS. Theia also proposes to communicate with user terminals, both at fixed locations and while in motion, in Ku-band frequencies.13 The following chart summarizes the 3 The FSS is “A radiocommunication service between earth stations at given positions, when one or more satellites are used; the given position may be a specified fixed point or any fixed point within specified areas; in some cases this service includes satellite-to-satellite links, which may also be operated in the inter-satellite service; the [FSS] may also include feeder links of other space radiocommunication services.” 47 CFR § 25.103. 4 Theia Application, Legal Narrative at 9. 5 Theia states that on-orbit spares will be initially deployed to a 750 km storage orbit. Theia Application, Technical Narrative at 12. 6 Theia Application, Legal Narrative at 1. 7 Id. at 3. 8 Id. at 24-29. 9 Id. at 23. 10 Theia seeks waivers of the following sections of the Commission rules: 2.106, 25.112(a), 25.114(d)(14)(ii), 25.116(c), 25.156(d)(4) & (5), 25.157(c) & (e), 25.202(a)(1), 25.208(r), and 25.283(c). Theia Application, Legal Narrative at 32-54; V-band Amendment, Legal Narrative at 11. 11 The term “Ka-band” refers to the 18.3-18.8 GHz, 19.7-20.2 GHz, 28.35-28.6 GHz, and 29.25-30.0 GHz frequency bands, also known as the “conventional Ka-band,” which the Commission has designated as primary for GSO FSS operation. See 47 CFR § 25.103. Theia also requests use of the 27.5-28.35 GHz, 28.6-29.1 GHz, 29.1-29.25 GHz, 17.8-18.3 GHz, 19.3-19.7 GHz, and 25.5.-27.0 GHz frequency bands, which are not included in the definition of “Ka-band” under Part 25, but which will be referred to as Ka-band frequencies for purposes of this Order.