[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 47, Volume 2]
[Revised as of October 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 47CFR25.114]

[Page 270-272]
 
                       TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION
 
                    CHAPTER I--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
                         COMMISSION (CONTINUED)
 
PART 25--SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS--Table of Contents
 
                  Subpart B--Applications and Licenses
 
Sec. 25.114  Applications for space station authorizations.

    (a) A comprehensive proposal shall be submitted for each proposed 
space station on FCC Form 312, Main Form, together along with attached 
exhibits as described in paragraph (c) of this section. If an applicant 
is proposing more than one space station, information common to all 
space stations may be submitted in a consolidated system proposal.
    (b) Each application for a new or modified space station 
authorization must constitute a concrete proposal for Commission 
evaluation. Each application must also contain the formal waiver 
required by section 304 of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. 304. The 
technical information for a proposed satellite system need not be filed 
on any prescribed form but should be complete in all pertinent details. 
Applications for new space station authorizations other than 
authorizations for the Direct Broadcast Service (DBS) and Digital Audio 
Radio Satellite (DARS) service must be filed electronically through the 
International Bureau Filing System (IBFS).
    (c) The following information in narrative form shall be contained 
in each application:
    (1) Name, address, and telephone number of the applicant;
    (2) Name, address, and telephone number of the person(s), including 
counsel, to whom inquiries or correspondence should be directed;
    (3) Type of authorization requested (e.g., launch authority, station 
license, modification of authorization);
    (4) General description of overall system facilities, operations and 
services;
    (5) Radio frequencies and polarization plan (including beacon, 
telemetry, and telecommand functions), center frequency and polarization 
of transponders (both receiving and transmitting frequencies), emission 
designators and allocated bandwidth of emission, final amplifier output 
power (identify any net losses between output of final amplifier and 
input of antenna and specify the maximum EIRP for each antenna beam), 
identification of which antenna beams are connected or switchable to 
each transponder and TT&C function, receiving system noise temperature, 
the relationship between satellite receive antenna gain pattern and 
gain-to-temperature ratio and

[[Page 271]]

saturation flux density for each antenna beam (may be indicated on 
antenna gain plot), the gain of each transponder channel (between output 
of receiving antenna and input of transmitting antenna) including any 
adjustable gain step capabilities, and predicted receiver and 
transmitter channel filter response characteristics;
    (6)(i) For satellites in geostationary-satellite orbit, orbital 
location, or locations if alternatives are proposed, requested for the 
satellite, the factors that support such an orbital assignment, the 
range of orbital locations from which adequate service can be provided 
and the basis for determining that range of orbital locations, and a 
detailed explanation of all factors that would limit the orbital arc 
over which the satellite could adequately serve its expected users;
    (ii) For satellites in non-geostationary-satellite orbits, the 
number of space stations and applicable information relating to the 
number of orbital planes, the inclination of the orbital plane(s), the 
orbital period, the apogee, the perigee, the argument(s) of perigee, 
active service arc(s), and right ascension of the ascending node(s); and
    (iii) If applicable, the feeder link and inter-satellite service 
frequencies requested for the satellite, together with any demonstration 
otherwise required by this chapter for use of those frequencies (see, 
e.g., Sec. 25.203(j) and (k));
    (7) Predicted space station antenna gain contour(s) for each 
transmit and each receive antenna beam and nominal orbital location 
requested. These contour(s) should be plotted on an area map at 2 dB 
intervals down to 10 dB below the peak value of the parameter and at 5 
dB intervals between 10 dB and 20 dB below the peak values, with the 
peak value and sense of polarization clearly specified on each plotted 
contour;
    (8) A description of the types of services to be provided, and the 
areas to be served, including a description of the transmission 
characteristics and performance objectives for each type of proposed 
service, details of the link noise budget, typical or baseline earth 
station parameters, modulation parameters, and overall link performance 
analysis (including an analysis of the effects of each contributing 
noise and interference source);
    (9) For satellites in geostationary-satellite orbit, accuracy with 
which the orbital inclination, the antenna axis attitude, and 
longitudinal drift will be maintained;
    (10) Calculation of power flux density levels within each coverage 
area and of the energy dispersal, if any, needed for compliance with 
Sec. 25.208;
    (11) Arrangement for tracking, telemetry, and control;
    (12) Physical characteristics of the space station including weight 
and dimensions of spacecraft, detailed mass (on ground and in-orbit) and 
power (beginning and end of life) budgets, and estimated operational 
lifetime and reliability of the space station and the basis for that 
estimate;
    (13) [Reserved]
    (14) A clear and detailed statement of whether the space station is 
to be operated on a common carrier basis, or whether non-common carrier 
transactions are proposed. If non-common carrier transactions are 
proposed, describe the nature of the transactions and specify the number 
of transponders to be offered on a non-common carrier basis. In 
addition, satellite applications in the Direct Broadcast Satellite 
service must provide a clear and detailed statement of whether the space 
station is to be operated on a broadcast or non-broadcast basis.
    (15) Dates by which construction will be commenced and completed, 
launch date, and estimated date of placement into service;
    (16) Public interest considerations in support of grant;
    (17) Applications for authorizations for domestic fixed-satellite 
space stations shall also include the information specified in 
Sec. 25.140;
    (18) Applications for authorizations in the Radiodetermination 
Satellite Service shall also include the information specified in 
Sec. 25.141;
    (19) Applications for authorizations in the Mobile-Satellite Service 
in the 1545-1559/1646.5-1660.5 MHz frequency bands shall also provide 
all information necessary to comply with the policies and procedures set 
forth in Rules and Policies Pertaining to the Use of Radio Frequencies 
in a Land Mobile

[[Page 272]]

Satellite Service, 2 FCC Rcd 485 (1987) (Available at address in 
Sec. 0.445 of this chapter.);
    (20) Applications to license multiple space station systems in the 
non-voice, non-geostationary mobile-satellite service under blanket 
operating authority shall also provide all information specified in 
Sec. 25.142; and
    (21) Applications for authorizations in the 1.6/2.4 GHz Mobile-
Satellite Service or 2 GHz Mobile-Satellite Service shall also provide 
all information specified in Sec. 25.143.
    (22) Applications for authorizations in the non-geostationary 
satellite orbit fixed-satellite service (NGSO FSS) in the bands 10.7 GHz 
to 14.5 GHz shall also provide all information specified in Sec. 25.146.
    (23) For satellite applications in the Direct Broadcast Satellite 
service, if the proposed system's technical characteristics differ from 
those specified in the Appendix 30 BSS Plans, the Appendix 30A feeder 
link Plans, Annex 5 to Appendix 30 or Annex 3 to Appendix 30A, each 
applicant shall provide:
    (i) The information requested in Appendix 4 of the ITU's Radio 
Regulations. Further, applicants shall provide sufficient technical 
showing that the proposed system could operate satisfactorily if all 
assignments in the BSS and feeder link Plans were implemented; and
    (ii) Analyses of the proposed system with respect to the limits in 
Annex 1 to Appendices 30 and 30A.
    (d) Applicants requesting authority to launch and operate a system 
comprised of technically identical, non-geostationary satellite orbit 
space stations may file a single ``blanket'' application containing the 
information specified in paragraph (c) of this section for each 
representative space station.

[62 FR 5927, Feb. 10, 1997, as amended at 65 FR 59142, Oct. 4, 2000; 67 
FR 51113, Aug. 7, 2002; 67 FR 53510, Aug. 16, 2002; 68 FR 37772, June 
25, 2003; 68 FR 51503, Aug. 27, 2003]