Noting it finished its C-band clearing more than a year ago, Embratel supports an SES-Intelsat-Telesat proposal for certifying Phase II accelerated clearing of the band (see 2304060026). The three want a Phase II accelerated relocation certification process that would start June 1. In a filing Friday to be posted in docket 18-122, Embratel said any delay of filing beyond that "would not serve any corresponding benefit," especially since it exited the U.S. C-band market a year ago.

Norwegian Cruise Line plans to add maritime connectivity via SpaceX's Starlink constellation to its fleet, it said Thursday. It said it's testing Starlink now on one cruise ship, with plans to expand the service to seven others by year's end.

Intelsat wants to add use of the 10.7-12.7 GHz band to its pending application for U.S. market access for a V-band medium earth orbit constellation (see 2111050001). In an FCC International Bureau application Wednesday, Intelsat said adding the Ku-band downlinks would give it more operational flexibility and system capacity.

With the last two of its authorized earth exploration satellite service satellites to launch in June, Iceye asked the FCC International Bureau for authorization to launch an additional eight. In an application Tuesday, Iceye said the second tranche of satellites would be technically identical to the first and the first satellite of the second tranche is expected to launch in October.

SpaceX should have to give the FCC information about how it will comply with its existing interference condition to make sure any changes to the system don't harm direct broadcast satellite (DBS) operations in the 12 GHz band, as part of its pending request to update technology in its first-generation constellation (see 2302160009), Dish Network petitioned the International Bureau Monday. Dish said the agency also should confirm the interference condition bars situations where earth stations are subject to significant power contributions from multiple satellites. It said SpaceX's plans to use narrower beams will likely mean cases where a DBS dish will be exposed to significant impacts from multiple satellite beams. SpaceX didn't comment Tuesday.

Federal agencies looking to reduce environmental footprints in space should look to environmental life-cycle assessments (ELCA) as a means that, Aerospace Corp. said in a paper Tuesday. The government can use its substantial buying power to support harmonization of ELCA methods and frameworks internationally, it said. That could help drive a sustainable space industry that is improving designs and practices, it said.

SES has completed about 94% of the C-band accelerated clearing's Phase III satellite transitions, it said Monday in docket 18-122. It said its installers have completed installation of blue bandpass filters at approximately 82% of the incumbent earth stations locations associated with SES satellites. It said nearly 100% of the antennas associated with its Phase II transition schedule have been installed. It said with C-band replacement satellites SES-18 and -19 having been launched in March (see 2303160064), it will have met its satellite deployment milestone of four C-band satellites deployed once SES-18 starts operations. Eutelsat reiterated that its C-band clearing work is complete (see 2301130020) and said all continental U.S. transmissions within the 3700-4000 MHz band segment have been discontinued.

The supplemental coverage from space (SCS) NPRM approved last month (see 2303160009) seems designed to facilitate satellite having a broader role in consumer connectivity than just emergency communications and messaging, Sheppard Mullins' Drew Svor and Emily Dalessio blogged Friday. They said the FCC's "traditional, siloed approach to licensing" and its ability to move quickly on SCS applications might be challenged by big numbers of applications from satellite and mobile network operators.

AST SpaceMobile expects to launch five of its Block 1 BlueBird satellites in Q1 2024, with launches of its next-generation Block 2 satellites to start later that year, executives said in a call with analysts Friday as the company announced its Q4 2022 financial results. Chief Financial Officer Sean Wallace said the company ended the year with about $239 million in cash on hand, and that, plus its ability to raise funds, should cover its needs for the next 12 months, including the Block 1 satellites. The Block 2 satellites should have improved RF capabilities, executives said. Asked about the FCC's proceeding on supplemental coverage from space (see 2303160009), CEO and founder Abel Avellan said it was "very, very encouraging" for AST's plans because such a direct-to-handset service framework could encourage partnerships between space operators and terrestrial carriers. He said he expects other nations to do similarly. Asked about Germany’s BNetzA requirement that AST SpaceMobile shut off operations when its satellite is within radio visibility of the country (see 2301110032), AST said it hasn't filed for regulatory approval in Germany.

The Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC) launched its Operational Watch Center, staffed with analysts who monitor data feeds and produce reports on cyberthreats that could affect the space industry, it said Thursday. ISAC, comprised of private and public sector members and focused on protection of U.S. infrastructure, came from a Bill Clinton presidential directive.