To make sure SpaceX's proposed second-generation broadband satellite constellation doesn't create too big an astronomy problem, it must operate below 580 km and reach a coordination agreement with the National Science Foundation to protect optical ground-based astronomy, the FCC said in an authorization order released Thursday. The authorization green-lights 7,500 of the proposed 29,988 Ku-/Ka-band Starlink satellites, deferring on the rest of the constellation and on SpaceX's request to also use the E band. The partial grant lets SpaceX start deployment while also "protect[ing] other satellite and terrestrial operators from harmful interference and maintain[ing] a safe space environment, promoting competition and protecting spectrum and orbital resources for future use," the order said. Among the conditions, SpaceX must submit regular reports to the FCC about progress to protect optical astronomy and limit operations in some frequency bands to one satellite beam from any of its second-generation Starlinks in the same frequency in the same or overlapping areas at a time.

Stellantis and SiriusXM extended their distribution agreement into 2027, the companies said Monday. SiriusXM is standard across most of the carmaker’s vehicles, and SiriusXM with 360L, combining satellite and streaming service, will make its Alfa Romeo debut in the Tonale in spring and the Dodge Hornet later this year, they said.

Lynk Global said Friday the FCC granted the company the “first-ever commercial license for a satellite-direct-to-standard-mobile-phone service.” The license allows the company to “launch commercial services for its global constellation of satellites later this year, paving the way for universal mobile connectivity,” Lynk said. “We agree with Lynk that it is in the public interest to begin making its services accessible with the goal of providing connectivity in remote areas during emergencies, contingent upon obtaining appropriate approval in the relevant jurisdiction and contingent upon completion of coordination with other operators,” said a Friday order by the International Bureau: “Lynk has provided information that demonstrates that, with the operations authorized by this license, it would be able to provide limited but useful connectivity in some areas.” The approval of Lynk to use frequencies in parts of the UHF bands is “limited to transmissions with earth stations outside the United States, and is based on a consideration of the specific facts and circumstances of this case,” the bureau said. The order doesn’t speak to “action on any applications to provide similar service in the United States,” the bureau said: “Nothing in this decision is intended to prejudge whether it is in the public interest to permit the provision of similar services within the United States, such as the pending AST&Science application.” GSMA supported the decision. “Technologies such as Lynk's satellite-direct-to-standard-mobile-phone service are an important part of the evolving mobile ecosystem and will be essential in enabling coverage in underserved geographies,” said Alex Sinclair, the group’s chief technology officer.

DirecTV is seeking five more years of authorized life from the FCC for its T10 satellite, whose license term expires in September, the company said in a partially redacted FCC International Bureau extension request filed Friday. It said T10 has enough fuel remaining to operate in its orbital slot through February 2027 and then go into a disposal orbit 300 kilometers out from geosynchronous altitude. Dish Network, in challenging DirecTV criticism of opening the 12 GHz band to 5G, noted DirecTV seemingly not planning to replace several aging satellites (see 2208080047), though T10 wasn't mentioned.

Red flags being raised about the updated orbital debris plan of Amazon's Kuiper satellite system (see 2206280010) are an attempt to hold Amazon to standards not backed by FCC rules, or otherwise raise issues better addressed in a different proceeding, Amazon told the International Bureau Tuesday. It said its modification application meets agency standards for collision risk avoidance and exceeds requirements on atmospheric re-entry. Amazon said it supports orbital separations for large constellations, but that's not required in all circumstances and shouldn't be a condition without consideration of the risk factors involved.

Virgin Atlantic will use Viasat in-flight connectivity service for its 16 new Airbus A330-900 jets, Viasat said Tuesday. It said the 16 are scheduled to start being used for U.S./U.K. intercontinental flights later this year.

Sony America created a new subsidiary, Sony Space Communications (SSC), that will develop optical communications devices aimed at connecting low earth orbit satellites via laser, said the company Thursday. "By providing easy-to-use inter-satellite communications capabilities, SSC aims to increase the amount of communications in space and realize an Internet communications network covering the earth, space, and applications such as real-time services," it said. SSC officially started operations Wednesday, headquartered in San Mateo, California, under the leadership of President Kyohei Iwamoto.

Inmarsat's SwiftJet aviation connectivity service, unveiled Monday, is expected to enter the market in the first half of 2023, it said. Inmarsat said SwiftJet would use its L-band network and offer speeds of up to 2.6 Mbps -- six times faster than its current L-band business aviation connectivity offering.

Augmenting or backing up of GPS needs to be balanced with toughening GPS resiliency, said Bradford Parkinson, National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) advisory board first vice chair, at the board's meeting Thursday. He said government response to the growing threat of jamming and spoofing of GPS has been to focus on supplementing the GPS system with a terrestrial service, but there's no current or foreseeable alternative to global navigation satellite service that can deliver the same level of accuracy or global coverage. Possible toughening steps include use of multi-element digital beam forming and null steering antennas and inertial systems. He said the FAA should emphasize use of toughened GNSS receivers, particularly those using directional antennas. He said International Traffic in Arms Regulation antenna restrictions should be removed because they limit U.S. access to important commercial components. He said the advisory board should create a committee on toughening that would help identify burgeoning civil threats to GPS signals, plus mitigation steps and roadblocks to implementation. He said that committee could then make recommendations to the National Security Council.

Dish Network and Sinclair signed a multiyear carriage agreement that keeps Sinclair's 144 local stations on Dish's lineup in 86 markets, and its Tennis Channel on Dish and Dish's Sling TV, said Dish Monday.