spacetoday.net: FCC approves Boeing V-band constellation

Posted: Sun, Nov 7, 2021, 10:43 AM ET (1543 GMT)
The FCC approved Boeing's application for a 147-satellite V-band satellite constellation on Wednesday. Boeing proposes to launch 132 satellites to low Earth orbit at 1,056 kilometers, with the rest placed in highly inclined orbits between 27,355 and 44,221 kilometers, providing global connectivity. V-band, which is a higher frequency than the Ku- and Ka-band systems more commonly used for satellite communications, offers faster speeds but also higher interference risks. The FCC's approval starts a six-year clock for Boeing to launch half the system and a nine-year deadline for the full constellation. A Boeing executive said this fall the company was still looking for partners for its constellation as it awaited FCC approval.