Amazon to FCC: bin SpaceX's 1M satellite datacenter dream

"Amazon Leo claims the application provides only the barest outline of how SpaceX will deliver on its "grand claims." SpaceX is seeking authority to operate a constellation of up to a million satellites in low Earth orbit, a remarkable number given that around 15,000 satellites in total are currently circling the planet."

"Amazon Leo argues the SpaceX application lacks basic details including satellite design, the radio frequency characteristics of the units, and "any plan for managing conjunctions or interference at million-satellite scale." In short, it says, the application seems to describe a lofty ambition rather than a real plan, and derides it as a "speculative placeholder rather than a complete application under the Commission's rules.""

"Those grand claims include the assertion that this would be the first step towards becoming a Type II civilization on the Kardashev scale - defined as one capable of using the entire energy output from its home star."

SpaceX submitted an FCC application to operate a constellation of up to one million satellites in low Earth orbit for spaceborne datacenters. Amazon, operating the rival Starlink competitor, filed formal objections arguing the application is incomplete and speculative. Amazon contends SpaceX's proposal lacks critical information including satellite design specifications, radio frequency characteristics, and plans for managing interference at million-satellite scale. Amazon characterizes the application as describing ambitious goals rather than presenting a viable operational plan. The filing also raises environmental and astronomical concerns regarding satellite interference with astronomy and pollution from rocket launches and orbital decay.

Read at Theregister