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

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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, although the applicant may propose alternatives that 
increase flexibility in accommodating the satellite in orbit. 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. The format of the 
applications should conform to the specifications of Sec. 1.49 of this 
chapter.
    (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 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) For 1.6/2.4 GHz Mobile-Satellite Service space stations, the 
feeder link frequencies requested for the satellite, together with the 
demonstration required by 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;

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    (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) Detailed information demonstrating the financial qualifications 
of the applicant to construct and launch the proposed satellites. 
Applications shall provide the financial information required by 
Sec. 25.140 (b) through (e), Sec. 25.142(a)(4), or Sec. 25.143(b)(3), as 
appropriate;
    (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;
    (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 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 shall also provide all information specified in 
Sec. 25.143.
    (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]