Maker of satellites hosting programmable scientific labs Odyssey SpaceWorks seeks FCC authorization to launch and operate its OSW Cazorla non-geostationary orbit satellite. In a Space Bureau application Monday, Odyssey said the mission -- to go up on a SpaceX launch later this year -- would host a lab module looking at the growth of fruit fly protein cells in low earth orbit and a separate module testing Odyssey's data transmission capabilities.

SES anticipates completing its remaining C-band clearing work as early as next week and filing its Phase II accelerated relocation certification shortly thereafter, company representatives told aides to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, per a docket 18-122 filing Tuesday. The company urged the agency to do what it can to support the relocation payment clearinghouse's prompt review of remaining reimbursement claims.

SpaceX arguments that Iceye's planned constellation should be subject to the same conditions as SpaceX's second-generation Starlink constellation lacks any explanation about why they should be applied, Iceye told the FCC Space Bureau Monday. It's one of multiple operators SpaceX argued should be subject to conditions similar to second-gen Starlinks (see 2301180049). It said the SpaceX conditions were specific to that company's plans for a 30,000-satellite constellation, while Iceye has authority to launch six satellites and is seeking authority for eight more. SpaceX doesn't assert the conditions on Iceye "are inadequate in any matter," Iceye said.

Future services available via Lockheed Martin's planned Parsec lunar communications network could include data storage, processing and power, company officials told FCC Space Bureau Chief Julie Kearney, per a bureau filing last week. Lockheed said it expects its initial commercial mission to the lunar surface to be in Q1 2026, same as launch of Parsec-1, one of its planned relay satellites between the moon and Earth. Lockheed said there's no need for a rulemaking before FCC action on its applications (see 2305040005), saying there's precedent to grant waivers to allow new technologies and services when there's no seeming risk to ongoing operations. IT said the 7/8 GHz band is already allocated for similar uses, and there's no proof there would be Earth interference from operations on the moon's surface. Arguing earlier this month for a rulemaking, CTIA said that approach "would proactively build policy guidelines that create regulatory certainty for the nascent lunar telecommunications industry as well as ensuring that the Commission can advance its terrestrial mobile broadband goals."

Discussions to combine with Intelsat "have ceased," SES said Thursday. SES acknowledged in March the two were talking (see 2303300037).

Complaining that the FCC Space Bureau and Office of International Affairs refused to consider its evidence showing Viasat's repeated violations of its earth station licenses, SpaceX asked the FCC to rescind the bureaus' May order allowing Viasat to acquire Inmarsat's authorizations (see 2305220003) "for further consideration of Viasat’s character qualifications." In its docket 22-153 application Wednesday, SpaceX said Viasat "knowingly and willfully" violated its earth station license terms for nearly four years by operating in the non-geostationary orbit Ka bands without first getting coordination agreements from each NGSO fixed satellite service operator or getting relief from the FCC. The commission can't let the bureau order precedent stand because it could end up undermining established requirements for reviewing character qualifications in transfer of control proceedings, SpaceX said. Viasat didn't comment.

With updates to its proposed Kuiper second-generation V-band constellation application to be made in coming months, the FCC Space Bureau should delay seeking comment until after those amendments are made, Amazon told Bureau Chief Julie Kearney, per a docket 21-456 filing posted Wednesday.

AST SpaceMobile has demonstrated repeated supplemental coverage from space download speeds in excess of 10 Mbps in tests of its BlueWalker 3 satellite using unmodified smartphones, it said Wednesday. The testing used AT&T spectrum and Nokia radio access network technology, and reached initial speeds of up to 10.3 Mbps, it said. AST said the next major test activity will be about 5G cellular broadband delivery via satellite.

Space economy revenue hit $384 billion globally in 2022, the Satellite Industry Association said Tuesday in its annual state of the satellite industry report. It said the satellite industry had $281 billion revenue, including $145 billion in ground equipment revenue and $113.3 billion in satellite services revenue. Satellite revenue for the year was essentially flat from 2021, with growth in most segments offset by declines in video, SIA said. It said the 7,316 active satellites at the end of 2022 were up 321% from five years earlier, and more than 5,000 small satellites were deployed between 2020 and 2022. The 7,316 are operated by entities headquartered in 83 countries, it said. Of the 7,316, 63% are for commercial communications, it said. SIA said 2022 ended with 596 operational geostationary orbit satellites, up from 574 in 2021.

Non-geostationary orbit spectrum sharing rules the FCC adopted 4-0 in April (see 2304200039) are now in effect, per a notice in Tuesday's Federal Register.