FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL TEMPORARY AUTHORITY
Applicant Name
Name of Applicant:
Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX)
Address
Attention:
David J. Den Herder
Street Address:
1030 15th Street, NW, Suite 220 E
P.O. Box:
City:
Washington
State:
DC
Zip Code:
20005
Country:
E-Mail Address:
David.DenHerder@SpaceX.com
Best Contact
Give the following information of person who can best handle inquiries pertaining to this application:
Last Name:
Dohm
First Name:
Peter
Title:
RF Engineer
Phone Number:
(310)363-6842 / 6119
Explanation
Please explain in the area below why an STA is necessary:
BACKGROUND AND REQUEST FOR EXPEDITED PROCESSING: Pursuant to a Space Act Agreement (SAA) with NASA for Commercial Orbital Transportation Service (COTS) Demonstrations, the Applicant (SpaceX) intends to launch a commercial space capsule, called Dragon, on a demonstration mission to the International Space Station (ISS); then return the capsule safely to Earth. For RF links to and from the spacecraft during this mission, NASA has instructed SpaceX to obtain the relevant authorizations directly from the FCC. Accordingly, SpaceX respectfully requests Expedited Processing of this STA application, pursuant to Section 5.61 of the FCC Rules. As currently scheduled (and coordinated with the Eastern Range), the launch readiness date for this mission is NET December 19, 2011. SCOPE OF APPLICATION: This STA covers the following links: Dragon-TDRSS [S-Band] (space-to-space); Dragon-Ground Stations [S-Band] (space-to-Earth and Earth-to-space); and Dragon-ISS [UHF] (space-to-space). Please note, only 5 of the Ground Stations will be capable of telecommand uplink to Dragon (the remaining Ground Stations, listed in the relevant Exhibit, are receive-only). REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT: The Applicant is requesting Confidential Treatment of the Exhibits pursuant to Sections 0.457(d) and 0.459 of the FCC Rules. Please see attached letter. SUMMARY OF EXHIBITS: (1) Additional Information Regarding Dragon TDRSS S-Band Omnidirectional Link, Including its Associated Power Flux Densities to the Ground; (2) Dragon TDRSS Directional Link Power Flux Density Analysis; (3) Additional Information Regarding Ground Stations; and (4) List of Transmitting Equipment.
Purpose of Operation
Please explain the purpose of operation:
The purpose of this operation is to demonstrate a low-cost, commercial capability to transport cargo to the International Space Station (ISS) and return it safely to the Earth. The nominal mission profile calls for launch of the capsule from Cape Canaveral into Low Earth Orbit (LEO), followed by ISS proximity operations, berthing with ISS (nominally remaining berthed for several weeks), unberthing, de-orbit maneuvers, re-entry, and splash-down in the Pacific Ocean. The basic orbital parameters for this mission are as follows: Non-Geostationary circular orbit (approx. 407 km); Equatorial Inclination of 52.5 degrees; Period of Orbit is 5400 s. The scheduled launch readiness date for this mission is currently NET December 19, 2011.
Information
Callsign:
WF9XGI
Class of Station:
FX MO
Nature of Service:
Experimental
Requested Period of Operation
Operation Start Date:
12/19/2011
Operation End Date:
05/19/2012
Manufacturer
List below transmitting equipment to be installed (if experimental, so state) if additional rows are required, please submit equipment list as an exhibit:
Manufacturer
Model Number
No. Of Units
Experimental
QUASONIX
QSX-VSR-110-20S
1
No
Certification
Neither the applicant nor any other party to the application is subject to a denial of Federal benefits that includes FCC benefits pursuant to Section 5301 of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, 21 U.S.C. Section 862, because of a conviction for possession or distribution of a controlled substance. The applicant hereby waives any claim to the use of any particular frequency or electromagnetic spectrum as against the regulatory power of the United States because of the prvious use of the same, whether by license or otherwise, and requests authorization in accordance with this application. (See Section 304 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.) The applicant acknowledges that all statements made in this application and attached exhibits are considered material representations, and that all the exhibits part hereof and are incorporated herein as if set out in full in this application; undersigned certifies that all statements in this application are true, complete and correct to the best of his/her knowledge and belief and are made in good faith. Applicant certifies that construction of the station would NOT be an action which is likely to have a significant environmental effect. See the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR1.1301-1.1319.
Signature of Applicant (Authorized person filing form):
David J. Den Herder
Title of Applicant (if any):
Senior Counsel
Date:
2011-10-19 00:00:00.0
Station Location
City
State
Latitude
Longitude
Mobile
Radius of Operation
DRAGON
Other
North
West
Space: DRAGON (Dragon S-Band Directional Array)
Datum:
NAD 83
Is a directional antenna (other than radar) used?
Yes
Exhibit submitted:
Yes
(a) Width of beam in degrees at the half-power point:
(b) Orientation in horizontal plane:
(c) Orientation in vertical plane:
Will the antenna extend more than 6 meters above the ground, or if mounted on an existing building, will it extend more than 6 meters above the building, or will the proposed antenna be mounted on an existing structure other than a building?
No
(a) Overall height above ground to tip of antenna in meters:
(b) Elevation of ground at antenna site above mean sea level in meters:
(c) Distance to nearest aircraft landing area in kilometers:
(d) List any natural formations of existing man-made structures (hills, trees, water tanks, towers, etc.) which, in the opinion of the applicant, would tend to shield the antenna from aircraft:
Action
Frequency
Station Class
Output Power/ERP
Mean Peak
Frequency Tolerance (+/-)
Emission Designator
Modulating Signal
New
2216.00000000- MHz
MO
20.000000 W 20.000000 W
M
546KG1D
350 Kbps
City
State
Latitude
Longitude
Mobile
Radius of Operation
DRAGON
Other
North
West
Space: DRAGON (Dragon S-Band Omni)
Datum:
NAD 83
Is a directional antenna (other than radar) used?
No
Exhibit submitted:
No
(a) Width of beam in degrees at the half-power point:
(b) Orientation in horizontal plane:
(c) Orientation in vertical plane:
Will the antenna extend more than 6 meters above the ground, or if mounted on an existing building, will it extend more than 6 meters above the building, or will the proposed antenna be mounted on an existing structure other than a building?
No
(a) Overall height above ground to tip of antenna in meters:
(b) Elevation of ground at antenna site above mean sea level in meters:
(c) Distance to nearest aircraft landing area in kilometers:
(d) List any natural formations of existing man-made structures (hills, trees, water tanks, towers, etc.) which, in the opinion of the applicant, would tend to shield the antenna from aircraft:
Action
Frequency
Station Class
Output Power/ERP
Mean Peak
Frequency Tolerance (+/-)
Emission Designator
Modulating Signal
Modified
2205.50000000- MHz
MO
20.000000 W 20.000000 W
M
406KF1D
350 Kbps
Action
Frequency
Station Class
Output Power/ERP
Mean Peak
Frequency Tolerance (+/-)
Emission Designator
Modulating Signal
New
2216.00000000- MHz
MO
20.000000 W 20.000000 W
M
12K4G1D
8.0 Kbps
Action
Frequency
Station Class
Output Power/ERP
Mean Peak
Frequency Tolerance (+/-)
Emission Designator
Modulating Signal
New
2216.00000000- MHz
MO
20.000000 W 20.000000 W
M
7K76G1D
4.0 Kbps
Action
Frequency
Station Class
Output Power/ERP
Mean Peak
Frequency Tolerance (+/-)
Emission Designator
Modulating Signal
New
2231.50000000- MHz
MO
20.000000 W 20.000000 W
M
2M32F1F
2.0 Mbps
City
State
Latitude
Longitude
Mobile
Radius of Operation
South Point
Hawaii
North 19 0 50
West 155 39 47
Datum:
NAD 83
Is a directional antenna (other than radar) used?
Yes
Exhibit submitted:
Yes
(a) Width of beam in degrees at the half-power point:
(b) Orientation in horizontal plane:
(c) Orientation in vertical plane:
Will the antenna extend more than 6 meters above the ground, or if mounted on an existing building, will it extend more than 6 meters above the building, or will the proposed antenna be mounted on an existing structure other than a building?
Yes
(a) Overall height above ground to tip of antenna in meters:
15.00
(b) Elevation of ground at antenna site above mean sea level in meters:
(c) Distance to nearest aircraft landing area in kilometers:
(d) List any natural formations of existing man-made structures (hills, trees, water tanks, towers, etc.) which, in the opinion of the applicant, would tend to shield the antenna from aircraft:
00000000
Action
Frequency
Station Class
Output Power/ERP
Mean Peak
Frequency Tolerance (+/-)
Emission Designator
Modulating Signal
Modified
2040.56750000- MHz
FX
2000.000000 W N/A
M
54K0G2D
2.0 Kbps
City
State
Latitude
Longitude
Mobile
Radius of Operation
Mingeneu, AUSTRALIA
Other
North
West
Datum:
NAD 83
Is a directional antenna (other than radar) used?
Yes
Exhibit submitted:
Yes
(a) Width of beam in degrees at the half-power point:
(b) Orientation in horizontal plane:
(c) Orientation in vertical plane:
Will the antenna extend more than 6 meters above the ground, or if mounted on an existing building, will it extend more than 6 meters above the building, or will the proposed antenna be mounted on an existing structure other than a building?
Yes
(a) Overall height above ground to tip of antenna in meters:
15.00
(b) Elevation of ground at antenna site above mean sea level in meters:
(c) Distance to nearest aircraft landing area in kilometers:
(d) List any natural formations of existing man-made structures (hills, trees, water tanks, towers, etc.) which, in the opinion of the applicant, would tend to shield the antenna from aircraft:
00000
Action
Frequency
Station Class
Output Power/ERP
Mean Peak
Frequency Tolerance (+/-)
Emission Designator
Modulating Signal
New
2040.56700000- MHz
FX
200.000000 W N/A
M
54K0G2D
2 Kbps
City
State
Latitude
Longitude
Mobile
Radius of Operation
Kennedy Space Center
Florida
North 28 37 25
West 80 41 11
Datum:
NAD 83
Is a directional antenna (other than radar) used?
Yes
Exhibit submitted:
Yes
(a) Width of beam in degrees at the half-power point:
(b) Orientation in horizontal plane:
(c) Orientation in vertical plane:
Will the antenna extend more than 6 meters above the ground, or if mounted on an existing building, will it extend more than 6 meters above the building, or will the proposed antenna be mounted on an existing structure other than a building?
No
(a) Overall height above ground to tip of antenna in meters:
(b) Elevation of ground at antenna site above mean sea level in meters:
(c) Distance to nearest aircraft landing area in kilometers:
(d) List any natural formations of existing man-made structures (hills, trees, water tanks, towers, etc.) which, in the opinion of the applicant, would tend to shield the antenna from aircraft:
Action
Frequency
Station Class
Output Power/ERP
Mean Peak
Frequency Tolerance (+/-)
Emission Designator
Modulating Signal
New
2040.56750000- MHz
FX
100.000000 W N/A
M
54K0G2D
2 kbps
City
State
Latitude
Longitude
Mobile
Radius of Operation
Wallops Island
Virginia
North 37 55 38
West 75 28 30
Datum:
NAD 83
Is a directional antenna (other than radar) used?
Yes
Exhibit submitted:
Yes
(a) Width of beam in degrees at the half-power point:
(b) Orientation in horizontal plane:
(c) Orientation in vertical plane:
Will the antenna extend more than 6 meters above the ground, or if mounted on an existing building, will it extend more than 6 meters above the building, or will the proposed antenna be mounted on an existing structure other than a building?
Yes
(a) Overall height above ground to tip of antenna in meters:
10.00
(b) Elevation of ground at antenna site above mean sea level in meters:
(c) Distance to nearest aircraft landing area in kilometers:
(d) List any natural formations of existing man-made structures (hills, trees, water tanks, towers, etc.) which, in the opinion of the applicant, would tend to shield the antenna from aircraft:
00000
Action
Frequency
Station Class
Output Power/ERP
Mean Peak
Frequency Tolerance (+/-)
Emission Designator
Modulating Signal
Modified
2040.56750000- MHz
FX
200.000000 W N/A
M
54K0G2D
2 Kpbs
City
State
Latitude
Longitude
Mobile
Radius of Operation
SINGAPORE
Other
North
West
Datum:
NAD 83
Is a directional antenna (other than radar) used?
Yes
Exhibit submitted:
Yes
(a) Width of beam in degrees at the half-power point:
(b) Orientation in horizontal plane:
(c) Orientation in vertical plane:
Will the antenna extend more than 6 meters above the ground, or if mounted on an existing building, will it extend more than 6 meters above the building, or will the proposed antenna be mounted on an existing structure other than a building?
Yes
(a) Overall height above ground to tip of antenna in meters:
10.00
(b) Elevation of ground at antenna site above mean sea level in meters:
(c) Distance to nearest aircraft landing area in kilometers:
(d) List any natural formations of existing man-made structures (hills, trees, water tanks, towers, etc.) which, in the opinion of the applicant, would tend to shield the antenna from aircraft:
00000
Action
Frequency
Station Class
Output Power/ERP
Mean Peak
Frequency Tolerance (+/-)
Emission Designator
Modulating Signal
New
2040.56750000- MHz
FX
100.000000 W N/A
M
54K0G2D
2 kbps
City
State
Latitude
Longitude
Mobile
Radius of Operation
TDRSS
Other
North
West
Space: TDRSS (TDRS SA Antenna)
Datum:
NAD 83
Is a directional antenna (other than radar) used?
No
Exhibit submitted:
No
(a) Width of beam in degrees at the half-power point:
(b) Orientation in horizontal plane:
(c) Orientation in vertical plane:
Will the antenna extend more than 6 meters above the ground, or if mounted on an existing building, will it extend more than 6 meters above the building, or will the proposed antenna be mounted on an existing structure other than a building?
No
(a) Overall height above ground to tip of antenna in meters:
(b) Elevation of ground at antenna site above mean sea level in meters:
(c) Distance to nearest aircraft landing area in kilometers:
(d) List any natural formations of existing man-made structures (hills, trees, water tanks, towers, etc.) which, in the opinion of the applicant, would tend to shield the antenna from aircraft:
Action
Frequency
Station Class
Output Power/ERP
Mean Peak
Frequency Tolerance (+/-)
Emission Designator
Modulating Signal
New
2040.56750000- MHz
MO
5.000000 W N/A
M
54K0G2D
2 kbps
City
State
Latitude
Longitude
Mobile
Radius of Operation
DRAGON
Other
North
West
Space: DRAGON (CUCU Patch Hemispherical)
Datum:
NAD 83
Is a directional antenna (other than radar) used?
No
Exhibit submitted:
No
(a) Width of beam in degrees at the half-power point:
(b) Orientation in horizontal plane:
(c) Orientation in vertical plane:
Will the antenna extend more than 6 meters above the ground, or if mounted on an existing building, will it extend more than 6 meters above the building, or will the proposed antenna be mounted on an existing structure other than a building?
No
(a) Overall height above ground to tip of antenna in meters:
(b) Elevation of ground at antenna site above mean sea level in meters:
(c) Distance to nearest aircraft landing area in kilometers:
(d) List any natural formations of existing man-made structures (hills, trees, water tanks, towers, etc.) which, in the opinion of the applicant, would tend to shield the antenna from aircraft:
Action
Frequency
Station Class
Output Power/ERP
Mean Peak
Frequency Tolerance (+/-)
Emission Designator
Modulating Signal
Modified
400.50000000- MHz
MO
1.500000 W 1.500000 W
M
338KG1D
153.6 kbps
City
State
Latitude
Longitude
Mobile
Radius of Operation
ISS
Other
North
West
Space: ISS (ISS UHF Antenna)
Datum:
NAD 83
Is a directional antenna (other than radar) used?
No
Exhibit submitted:
No
(a) Width of beam in degrees at the half-power point:
(b) Orientation in horizontal plane:
(c) Orientation in vertical plane:
Will the antenna extend more than 6 meters above the ground, or if mounted on an existing building, will it extend more than 6 meters above the building, or will the proposed antenna be mounted on an existing structure other than a building?
No
(a) Overall height above ground to tip of antenna in meters:
(b) Elevation of ground at antenna site above mean sea level in meters:
(c) Distance to nearest aircraft landing area in kilometers:
(d) List any natural formations of existing man-made structures (hills, trees, water tanks, towers, etc.) which, in the opinion of the applicant, would tend to shield the antenna from aircraft:
Action
Frequency
Station Class
Output Power/ERP
Mean Peak
Frequency Tolerance (+/-)
Emission Designator
Modulating Signal
Modified
400.50000000- MHz
MO
5.000000 W 1.500000 W
M
338KG1D
153.6 kbps