SpaceX has a plan to deploy 30,000 second-generation Starlink satellites, but for its rival, Amazon, that's too much.
(Photo : SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images)
The US giant Amazon logo is pictured on the opening day of a new distribution center in Augny, near Metz, eastern France, on September 23, 2021.
Amazon told the FCC that it should only let Elon Musk's SpaceX to operate a "small subset" of the 30,000 satellites for the meantime.
In a letter, "Granting a small subset of its nearly 30,000 satellite system would offer SpaceX a path to begin deploying, while also providing the Commission time to carefully address the issues raised by its larger constellation."
Due to the sheer size of Starlink's second-gun network, it's only natural for other companies like Amazon to have their reservations. Currently, there are over 4,800 active satellites in orbit around Earth.
Now, with SpaceX's proposal, it will increase the number of satellites in orbit tremendously.
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The Plan of SpaceX
SpaceX plans to use its second-get satellites to improve the speeds and coverage for Starlink. Currently, the company is already serving almost 500,000 users across the globe.
Amazon's Reservations
Amazon is worried that the growing number of Starlink constellations will stifle their satellite internet service. The company is also planning to roll out satellites in the coming years.
Amazon told the FCC to ensure that the deployment of Elon Musk's satellites will not compromise them, along with other companies that have plans to launch their satellites in space.
Amazon also made it clear that they are not pushing for the FCC to deny the second-gen network of SpaceX, rather, they only want it to be reasonable and ensure there are targeted conditions that are designed to ensure that SpaceX's satellites will not interfere with their planned deployment and the foreclosure future NGSO FSS (Non-Geostationary Fixed Service Satellite) systems from deploying.
Amazon suggests that FCC grans one of the 18 filings SpaceX made with the International Telecommunication Union for the second-gen constellation of Starlink. Through this, SpaceX will have more time to demonstrate that their satellites will not pose a risk of a threat to the orbital safety or create radio interference.
They also said that they will allow SpaceX to make the near-term deployment even more possible.
Amazon isn't the only company that has expressed its reservations about the large deployment of SpaceX's satellites. NASA also has submitted concerns with the FCC regarding the potential risks of a large satellite constellation.
What Does Elon Musk Have to Say?
SpaceX hasn't responded yet to this. But they are hoping to launch the second-gen Starlink satellites soon with the Starship. They are only waiting for approvals from US regulators.
The question now is, will Musk adjust the numbers or will he fight for the original plan to push through?
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Written by April Fowell
