The Space Thread

Filings

The primary documents behind our posts, with the file numbers so you can read along.

Order, Oct 2026

FCC DA 26 1078: 15,000 direct to phone satellites

Grant in part for SpaceX's next generation direct to device constellation, docket 25 340
Up to 15,000 satellites authorized
50% due by 7 Oct 2032, the rest by 7 Oct 2035 (47 CFR 25.164(b))
Surety bond due 4 Nov 2026 (condition 17)
ICFS File Nos. SAT-LOA-20250916-00282 and SAT-AMD-20251125-00339

Sources

Adopted and released 21 Oct 2026

FCC DA 26 1129: Tristar AWS-3 licenses

WT Docket 26 187: three unpaired AWS-3 licenses, 1695 to 1710 MHz, uplink only
62 counties in eight states, about 4% of the US population
SpaceX attributed 75 MHz in those markets after the deal
Terrestrial buildout replaced by satellite uplink performance tests; the first falls on 30 Nov 2029

Sources

FCC order text

Purchase agreement dated 8 Oct 2026

Grain 800 MHz spectrum purchase

Up to 14 MHz of paired low band 800 MHz spectrum, nationwide
The plan describes radios on towers and rooftops, a terrestrial network
ULS File Nos. 0012212189 (Space Exploration Technologies Corp.) and 0012212191 (Starlink Spectrum Holdings, LLC)

Sources