DA 04-1387

May 18, 2004

Mr. Peter Hadinger

Northrop Grumman Space & Mission Systems Corporation

1000 Wilson Boulevard

Arlington, VA 22209

> Re: Northrop Grumman Space & Mission Systems Corporation Proposed
> Ka-Band/V-Band Hybrid Fixed Satellite Service Network:
>
> Application and Amendments to Application for Authority to Operate a
> Global Satellite System Employing Geostationary and Non-geostationary
> Satellites in the Fixed Satellite Service -- File Nos.
>
> SAT-LOA-19970904-00080, SAT-AMD-19971222-00219,
> SAT-AMD-20031104-00324, SAT-AMD-20040312-00030 (S2254)
>
> Applications and Amendments to Applications For Authority to Operate a
> Geostationary Satellite in the Fixed Satellite Service -- File Nos.
>
> SAT-LOA-19970904-00081, SAT-AMD-20040312-00032 (S2256)
>
> SAT-LOA-19970904-00082, SAT-AMD-20040312-00033 (S2257)
>
> SAT-LOA-19970904-00083, SAT-AMD-20040312-00034 (S2258)
>
> SAT-LOA-19970904-00084, SAT-AMD-20040312-00031 (S2255)

Dear Mr. Hadinger:

On March 12, 2004, Northrop Grumman Space & Mission Systems Corporation
(Northrop Grumman) filed amendments to pending satellite applications
for authority to launch and operate non-geostationary satellite orbit
(NGSO) satellites and geostationary-orbit (GSO) satellites as part of a
proposed Ka-Band/V-Band hybrid fixed satellite service (FSS) network,
referred to as the Global EHF Satellite Network (GESN). Northrop Grumman
filed these amendments in response to the Commission's January 29, 2004
Public Notice inviting existing V-Band applicants to amend pending
applications to conform to the Commission's revised V-Band rules.[^1]

Section 25.114(c) of the Commission\'s rules[^2] requires all space
station applicants, to submit all applicable items of information listed
in its subsections. In the *First Space Station Reform Order*,[^3] the
Commission affirmed the policies embodied in this rule by continuing to
require applications to be substantially complete when filed.[^4] As the
Commission noted, the procedures and rules it adopted will enable the
Commission to establish satellite licensees\' operating rights clearly
and quickly, and as a result, allow licensees to provide service to the
public much sooner than might be possible under our previous licensing
procedures.[^5] Finding defective applications acceptable for filing is
not consistent with the rules and policies adopted by the Commission in
the *First Space Station Reform Order* and only serves to create
uncertainty and inefficiency in the licensing process.

Northrop Grumman states in the technical appendix[^6] for each of the
amendments it filed on March 12, 2004, that the technical information
contained in the amendments "replaces, in its entirety, the technical
information" in the initial applications. However, in each case,
Northrop Grumman failed to submit a two-degree spacing interference
analysis for its GSO FSS network operating in the 37.5-42.0 GHz and
47.2-50.2 GHz frequency bands (V-Band) as required by Section
25.140(b)(2) of the Commission's rules.[^7] Consequently, the amendments
as well as the underlying applications are defective with respect to the
V-band portion of each GSO FSS application under Section 25.114(b)[^8]
of the Commission's rules, and must be returned pursuant to Section
25.112(a).[^9]

Accordingly, we dismiss, to the extent indicated, the following
amendments and underlying applications:

+-------------------+------+-----------------------+-----------------+
| [File             | L    | [Proposed             | [Reason for     |
| No]{.underline}.  | ocat | Spectrum]{.underline} | Dismiss         |
|                   | ion/ |                       | al]{.underline} |
|                   |      |                       |                 |
|                   | [    |                       |                 |
|                   | Call |                       |                 |
|                   | S    |                       |                 |
|                   | ign] |                       |                 |
|                   | {.un |                       |                 |
|                   | derl |                       |                 |
|                   | ine} |                       |                 |
+-------------------+------+-----------------------+-----------------+

+-------------------+------+------------------------+-----------------+
| SAT-A             | 119º | Up-Link: 47.2-50.2 GHz | Incomplete:     |
| MD-20040312-00031 | W.L. | (Gateway): V-Band      | Interference    |
|                   |      |                        | study not       |
| SAT-L             | (S2  | Down-Link: 37.5-42 GHz | provided. 47    |
| OA-19970904-00084 | 255) | (Gateway): V-Band      | CFR §§          |
|                   |      |                        | 25.114(b),      |
|                   |      |                        | 25.140(b)(2)    |
+-------------------+------+------------------------+-----------------+

+-------------------+------+------------------------+-----------------+
| SAT-A             | 89º  | Up-Link: 47.2-50.2 GHz | Incomplete:     |
| MD-20040312-00032 | W.L. | (Gateway): V-Band      | Interference    |
|                   |      |                        | study not       |
| SAT-L             | (S2  | Down-Link: 37.5-42 GHz | provided. 47    |
| OA-19970904-00081 | 256) | (Gateway): V-Band      | CFR §§          |
|                   |      |                        | 25.114(b),      |
|                   |      |                        | 25.140(b)(2)    |
+-------------------+------+------------------------+-----------------+

+-------------------+------+------------------------+-----------------+
| SAT-A             | 15º  | Up-Link: 47.2-50.2 GHz | Incomplete:     |
| MD-20040312-00033 | E.L. | (Gateway): V-Band      | Interference    |
|                   |      |                        | study not       |
| SAT-L             | (S2  | Down-Link: 37.5-42 GHz | provided. 47    |
| OA-19970904-00082 | 257) | (Gateway): V-Band      | CFR §§          |
|                   |      |                        | 25.114(b),      |
|                   |      |                        | 25.140(b)(2)    |
+-------------------+------+------------------------+-----------------+

+-------------------+------+------------------------+-----------------+
| SAT-A             | 11   | Up-Link: 47.2-50.2 GHz | Incomplete:     |
| MD-20040312-00034 | 6.5º | (Gateway): V-Band      | Interference    |
|                   | E.L. |                        | study not       |
| SAT-L             |      | Down-Link: 37.5-42 GHz | provided. 47    |
| OA-19970904-00083 | (S2  | (Gateway): V-Band      | CFR §§          |
|                   | 258) |                        | 25.114(b),      |
|                   |      |                        | 25.140(b)(2)    |
+-------------------+------+------------------------+-----------------+

We note, however, that the following amendments and underlying
applications relating to orbit locations 89° W.L. and 116° E.L., to the
extent indicated, are complete and will be placed on Public Notice.

+-------------------------+---------+----------------------------------+
| [File No]{.underline}.  | Lo      | [Proposed Spectrum]{.underline}  |
|                         | cation/ |                                  |
|                         |         |                                  |
|                         | [Call   |                                  |
|                         | Sig     |                                  |
|                         | n]{.und |                                  |
|                         | erline} |                                  |
+-------------------------+---------+----------------------------------+

+-------------------------+---------+----------------------------------+
| SAT-LOA-19970904-00081  | 89º     | Up-Link: 28.35-28.6 GHz          |
|                         | W.L.    | (Primary)                        |
| SAT-AMD-20040312-00032  |         |                                  |
|                         | (S2256) | 29.25-29.5 GHz (Primary)         |
|                         |         |                                  |
|                         |         | Down-Link: 18.3-18.8 GHz         |
|                         |         | (Primary)                        |
+-------------------------+---------+----------------------------------+

+-------------------------+---------+----------------------------------+
| SAT-LOA-19970904-00083  | 116.5º  | Up-Link: 28.35-28.6 GHz          |
|                         | E.L.    | (Primary)                        |
| SAT-AMD-20040312-00034  |         |                                  |
|                         | (S2258) | 29.25-30 GHz (Primary)           |
|                         |         |                                  |
|                         |         | Down-Link: 18.3-18.8 GHz         |
|                         |         | (Primary)                        |
|                         |         |                                  |
|                         |         | 19.7-20.2 GHz (Primary)          |
+-------------------------+---------+----------------------------------+

We also dismiss the amendments and underlying application filed by
Northrop Grumman for NGSO satellites that will operate in
highly-elliptical orbits (HEO) and in GSO orbit locations at 119º W.L.,
89º W.L., 15º E.L., and 116.5º E.L. The orbital debris mitigation plan
submitted by Northrop Grumman states that its HEO satellites "will have
their perigee altitude lowered to less than 250 km such that the
satellite will re-enter the atmosphere in less than 25 years."[^10]
Under the Commission rules, each NGSO FSS applicant must \"submit a
casualty risk assessment if planned post-mission disposal involves
atmospheric reentry of the spacecraft.\" 47 C.F.R. 25.145(c)(3).
Northrop Grumman failed to include this risk assessment as part of its
orbital debris mitigation plan statement in each of the amendments or
the underlying application. Because Northrop Grumman has failed to
include this risk assessment, we find the amendments and the underlying
application unacceptable for filing, and therefore dismiss, without
prejudice to refiling, the following NGSO FSS application and related
amendments:

  ------------------- ------------------------ -------------------------- ------------------------
  [File               [Location]{.underline}   [Proposed                  [Reason for
  No]{.underline}.                             Spectrum]{.underline}      Dismissal]{.underline}

  ------------------- ------------------------ -------------------------- ------------------------

+------------------+--------+-------------------------+--------------+
| SAT-AM           | 3      | Up-Link: 28.6-29.1 GHz  | Incomplete   |
| D-20040312-00030 | pr     | (Primary)               | orbital      |
|                  | oposed |                         | debris       |
| SAT-AM           | NG     | 29.5-30 GHz (Secondary) | mitigation   |
| D-20031104-00324 | SO/HEO |                         | plan --      |
|                  | sate   | 47.2-50.2 GHz           | failure to   |
| SAT-AM           | llites | (Gateway): V-Band       | provide      |
| D-19971222-00219 | and 4  |                         | casualty     |
|                  | pr     | Down-Link: 18.8-19.3    | risk         |
| SAT-LO           | oposed | GHz (Primary)           | assessment   |
| A-19970904-00080 | GSO    |                         | 47 CFR §     |
|                  | sate   | 19.7-20.2 GHz           | 25.145(c)(3) |
|                  | llites | (Secondary)             |              |
|                  |        |                         |              |
|                  |        | 37.5-42 GHz (Gateway):  |              |
|                  |        | V-Band                  |              |
+------------------+--------+-------------------------+--------------+

We also note, however, that Northrop Grumman proposes to operate its GSO
satellites using NGSO spectrum, on a secondary, non-harmful interference
basis to other NGSO satellite systems. Northrop Grumman's proposed
uplink band, 28.6-29.1 GHz is designated to NGSO FSS on a primary basis
and GSO FSS on a secondary basis.[^11] In considering requests to
operate on a secondary basis, the Commission has always required
applicants to demonstrate that their proposed secondary operations are
not likely to cause interference to primary operations. Northrop Grumman
did not submit any technical showing demonstrating that its proposed GSO
satellites can operate compatibly with other NGSO FSS systems.

Northrop Grumman also requested a waiver to operate GSO satellites in
the 18.8-19.3 GHz band (space-to-Earth). This spectrum is designated for
NGSO FSS only. A request to waive this rule and operate GSO satellites
in this spectrum would have to, among other things, show that the
proposed use would not undermine the policy objective of the rule in
question, which establishes a dedicated band for NGSO FSS use on a
primary basis to encourage the development of such systems. Also, the
applicant must submit a technical showing demonstrating that its
proposed GSO satellites can operate compatibly with other NGSO FSS
systems. Northrop Grumman did not submit such showings. To date, no GSO
applicant has demonstrated that it can operate on a non-harmful
interference basis to NGSO operations and, consequently, the Commission
has not authorized GSO FSS operations in spectrum designated for NGSO
FSS services.[^12]

Accordingly, to the extent Northrop Grumman failed to submit information
and did not request a waiver, we find the applications, as amended,
defective. Consequently, Application File Nos. SAT-AMD-20040312-00030,
SAT-AMD-20031104-00324, SAT-AMD-19971222-00219, SAT-LOA-19970904-00080,
SAT-AMD-20040312-00031, SAT-LOA-19970904-00084; SAT-AMD-20040312-00033,
and SAT-LOA-19970904-00082 are dismissed in whole and Application File
Nos. SAT-AMD-20040312-00032, SAT-LOA-19970904-00081,
SAT-AMD-20040312-00034, and SAT-LOA-19970904-00083 are dismissed in
part[^13] without prejudice to refiling.[^14]

Sincerely,

Thomas S. Tycz

Chief

Satellite Division

cc: Mr. Stephen D. Baruch

Leventhal Senter & Lerman

2000 K Street, N.W., Suite 600

Washington, D.C. 20006

[^1]: *See International Bureau Invites Applicants to Amend Pending
    V-Band Applications***,** DA 04-234, Report No. SPB-199 (rel.
    January 29, 2004).

[^2]: 47 C.F.R. § 25.114(c).

[^3]: Amendment of the Commission\'s Space Station Licensing Rules and
    Policies, *First Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed
    Rulemaking*, IB Docket No. 02-34, 18 FCC Rcd 10760, 10852 (para.
    244) (2003) (*First Space Station Reform Order*); International
    Bureau To Streamline Satellite And Earth Station Processing, *Public
    Notice*, Report No. SPB-140, October 28, 1998 (emphasizing the
    obligation to comply with 47 C.F.R. § 24.114(c) and stating that
    applications that did not comply would be dismissed).

[^4]: ^?^ *First Space Station Reform Order*, 18 FCC Rcd at 10852 (para.
    244), *citing* Space *Station Reform NPRM*, 17 FCC Rcd at 3875
    (para. 84).

[^5]: *First Space Station Reform Order*, 18 FCC Rcd at 10765-66 (para.
    4).

[^6]: *See* Page 1 in the Technical Appendix for Application File
    Numbers SAT-AMD-20040312-00030, SAT-AMD-20040312-00031,
    SAT-AMD-20040312-00032, SAT-AMD-20040312-00033, and
    SAT-AMD-20040312-00034.

[^7]: 47 C.F.R. § 25.140(b)(2). *See* *also* Clarification of 47 C.F.R.
    § 25.140(b)(2) Space Station Application Interference Analysis,
    Public Notice In re Int\'l Bureau Satellite Div. Info, 2003 WL
    22850140 (F.C.C., Dec 03, 2003) (NO. DA 03-3863).

[^8]: 47 C.F.R. § 25.114(b).

[^9]: 47 C.F.R. § 25.112(a).

[^10]: Northrop Grumman NGSO application, SAT-AMD-20040312-00030, FCC
    Form 312, Exhibit G.

[^11]: Stations operating in primary services are protected from
    interference from stations of secondary services. Stations operating
    in the secondary service cannot cause harmful interference or claim
    protection from harmful interference from stations of a primary
    service. 47 C.F.R. § 2.104(d).

[^12]: *See* EchoStar Satellite LLC, Applications for Authority to
    Construct, Launch and Operate Geostationary Satellites in the
    Fixed-Satellite Service using the Ka and/or Extended Ku-bands at the
    83° W.L., 105° W.L., 113° W.L. and 121° W.L. Orbital Locations,
    *Memorandum Opinion and Order*, DA 04-1167 (rel. April 29, 2004),
    and cases cited therein.

[^13]: As noted, GSO applications and amendments for Ka-Band
    authorization at the 89º W.L. (SAT-LOA-19970904-00081,
    SAT-AMD-20040312-00032) and 116.5º E.L.(SAT-LOA-19970904-00083,
    SAT-AMD-20040312-00034) orbit locations are not dismissed, and will
    be placed on public notice.

[^14]: Generally, applications returned to applicants for additional
    information will not require an additional fee when resubmitted if
    the resubmitted application is identical to the returned application
    except for the missing information. *See* 47 C.F.R. § 1.1109(d).