In the latest twist in the satellite manufacture , Boeing has decided to forfeit its license for a modest Earth orbit ( LEO ) satellite constellation , a project that would ’ve competed with SpaceX ’s Starlink connection .
Boeing ’s plan to progress a wideband cyberspace constellation are officially over . At least for now . On Monday , Boeing officially surrendered its permit to build the system and pay the Federal Communications Commission ( FCC ) a $ 2.2 million forfeiture penalty , asreportedin Aerospace Daily , a subsidiary of Aviation Week . The FCC officially annul Boeing ’s license on October 12 , a permit that hadoriginally been grantedto the party in November 2021 .
“ Boeing is commit to responsible spectrum parcelling and space usage , ” Michelle Parker , vice president of Boeing Space Mission Systems , explained in an emailed statement . “ As part of this commitment , we followed all regulative requirement as we arrived at strategic business decisions regarding our spectrum allocation . ”
The launch of Boeing’s Varuna prototype internet satellite technology, 16 January 2025.Photo: SpaceX
Boeing is affirmative about fin - striation ’s commercial potential given the turn globular need for artificial satellite internet , Parker explained . She tally that the company is consistently reviewing its spectrum exercise to meet business and regulative need , but is “ prioritize more immediate ontogeny steps at this time . ”
In point of reference to Boeing ’s decision , SpaceX CEO Elon Musk took to X on Tuesday tosay , “ Competing with SpaceX is tough . ” The billionaire ’s Starlink remains the prevailing histrion in this realm , with over 4,900 functional units currently in humble Earth orbit , accordingto Harvard - Smithsonian astronomer Jonathan McDowell . Musk is clear gloat , but there ’s some truth in his sententious program line ; SpaceX has the decided vantage of being able to deliver its Starlink satellites to space at cost , and not having to source a launch supplier .
compete with SpaceX is problematical
— Elon Musk ( @elonmusk)November 1 , 2023
Boeing had ab initio show great sake in carving out its own footprint in the satellite configuration knowledge base . Ryan Reid , president of Boeing Commercial Satellite Systems , talk about the companionship ’s intentions during a 2021 interview with Aerospace Daily , show Boeing ’s desire to establish partnerships for an NGSO ( Non - Geostationary Satellite Orbit ) configuration . Reid clarified that Boeing ’s coming would differ from SpaceX ’s Starlink , sharpen more on business - to - business organization musical arrangement , similar to the model espouse by OneWeb , rather than Starlink ’s direct - to - consumer model . He added that , while Boeing was not directly competing with Starlink , its customers would be .
Boeinglaunched its Varuna epitome satellitein September 2022 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshare missionary work , mark a key first pace in its orbiter constellation development . This mission was mean to test the technology intended for the full constellation , ensuring their functionality in space . A Sherpa - LTC 2 transference vehiclehostsBoeing ’s Varuna - TDM ( Varuna Technology Demonstration Mission ) shipment , and it stay operational in orbit .
“ Our V - Band test charge provided worthful data and learning . For now , we are not immediately pursuing a V - Band constellation , ” say Parker . “ We will bear on to invest in chance that push what ’s potential for connectivity in infinite . ”
The FCC had originally concede Boeing a permission to go a 147 - artificial satellite V - band constellation , with Boeing later quest an expansion to more than 5,000 satellites . The FCC ’s stringent requirement mandate that Boeing deploy one-half of its configuration by November 2027 ( i.e. six eld after cut the license ) . allot to Aerospace Daily , Boeing ’s request to unwind these deployment rule was deny by the FCC , which aims to forestall spectrum squatting ( a practice in which companies hold a license for spectrum usage without actively use it , potentially obstruct other company from access valuable communication frequencies ) . It ’s not clear if the 50 % rule contributed to Boeing ’s decision to throw the projection . Boeing did not respond to Gizmodo ’s request for illumination on this issue .
Boeing has mistreat back from its megaconstellation dream , while SpaceX continues to solidify its location as the primary player . But this does n’t shut the door for other potential rivals to move into into the artificial satellite internet fray . Amazon ’s Project Kuiper is actively making strides , highlighted by therecent successful launch of two epitome satellites . Other remarkable contenders contend for a bit of the satellite internet grocery let in the aforementioned OneWeb , Telesat , and Astra .
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