The dispute centers on overlapping spectrum bands in low-Earth orbit and geostationary orbits, with SpaceX alleging that Viasat has failed for over five years to reach a required coordination agreement to protect American consumers from service degradation.
SpaceX Urges FCC to Reconsider Viasat-3 F2 Market Access
According to a 25-page petition filed by SpaceX, the company asked the FCC to reconsider its decision to greenlight US market access for the Viasat-3 F2 satellite, which is scheduled to enter service next month. SpaceX Vice President of Satellite Policy David Goldman wrote that Viasat continues to operate in non-geostationary satellite orbit Ka-bands without making any meaningful attempt to coordinate. Viasat’s license conditions prohibit it from operating legacy technology in primary spectrum bands for next-generation systems without securing coordination agreements or providing technical demonstrations, according to Goldman’s filing. SpaceX alleged that Viasat’s own analysis shows the F2 satellite threatens to cause downlink interference approximately one-third of the time for Starlink users.
Pro Tip: Satellite operators in the United States must navigate complex frequency sharing rules overseen by the FCC, where geostationary and low-Earth orbit mega-constellations frequently intersect over identical radio frequency slices.
Disputed Frequency Bands and Orbital Congestion
The regulatory conflict involves specific slices of the radio spectrum, specifically the 18.8 to 19.3 GHz and the 28.6 to 29.1 GHz bands. Starlink has long been cleared to use these frequencies for space-to-Earth and Earth-to-space transmissions, but Viasat plans to utilize the exact same spectrum for downloading and uploading data on its high-orbiting geostationary satellite positioned over 22,000 miles away. Regulators evaluate such petitions based on spectrum interference criteria and orbital debris mitigation guidelines to balance commercial expansion with space safety.
Amazon Joins Regulatory Push Against Viasat
SpaceX is not alone in raising technical objections with federal regulators. Amazon, which is preparing to launch its own Leo satellite internet service, has repeatedly flagged identical coordination issues to the FCC. Amazon’s submitted filings argue that the technical evaluation put forward by Viasat regarding its pending application fails to adequately prove that the Amazon Leo system or alternative non-geostationary fixed-satellite service operations will be safeguarded. In 2020, Amazon’s first-generation satellite constellation was cleared to use the same 18.8 to 19.3 GHz and 28.6 to 29.1 GHz bands. Consequently, complaints from both Amazon and SpaceX could potentially derail the deployment of the F2 satellite unless Viasat satisfies regulatory conditions.
Did You Know? The FCC’s grant for Viasat-3 F2 market access explicitly notes that Viasat must refrain from commencing, or otherwise cease, operations in the United States within the disputed frequency bands until compliance is officially notified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did SpaceX petition the Federal Communications Commission?
Regulatory documents show that SpaceX submitted its petition to highlight potential collision hazards and signal disruption that Viasat’s network might create for Starlink spacecraft functioning in low-Earth orbit.
What specific frequency bands are in dispute?
The dispute involves the 18.8 to 19.3 GHz and the 28.6 to 29.1 GHz frequency bands, which are utilized by Starlink and targeted by Viasat for the Viasat-3 F2 satellite.
How do federal regulators handle satellite interference disputes?
The Federal Communications Commission evaluates petitions based on spectrum interference criteria, requiring competing operators to coordinate frequencies and trajectories to prevent harmful signal degradation.
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