2023-10-19 Satellite Update
BBILAN has continued to be active in the satellite field.
White Paper on GAO Reports
On August 22, 2023 we met with two directors at the GAO who authored the September 2022 and November 2022 Reports in response to a 2021 Request from Senators Brian Schatz and Tammy Duckworth to investigate and assess required mitigation measures for debris and other environmental hazards from accelerating FCC blanket licensing of satellite constellations. Based on this frank discussion, BBILAN produced this White Paper.
Request for Congressional Briefing. Following the White Paper recommendations, BBILAN has written to Senators Schatz and Duckworth proposing a Congressional Briefing on the GAO Reports and the White Paper. As of this date, BBILAN has not received a reply.
Testimony before the FCC on behalf of HHTI. BBILAN filed testimony before the FCC regarding the agency’s call for public comments on two proposed rulemaking concerning: In the Matter of Expediting Initial Processing of Satellite and Earth Station Applications (IB Docket No. 22-411) and Space Innovation (IB Docket No. 22-271). BBILAN pointed out that the FCC’s proposed rulemaking fails to take account of NEPA requirements, and therefore is illegal. BBILAN pointed out specific areas where the FCC and CEQ can come into NEPA compliance.
In the News
With the advancing Starlink and OneWeb satellite constellations, as well as Amazon's projected Project Kuiper internet network — and even more large satellite initiatives underway — astronomers are becoming increasingly concerned of being blinded by the light from an estimated 400,000 satellites planned for low Earth orbit in the coming years. See: Satellite megaconstellations are threatening astronomy. What can be done?