The megaconstellation satellite operator SpaceX submitted a proposed update for the ECC report 271 during the ECC-SE40 webmeeting held on the period 23rd to 25th June, 2020. The first version of ECC report 271 on the compatibility and sharing studies of non-geostationary satellite systems operating in the bands 10.7 – 12.75 GHz (Space-to-Earth) and 14 – 14.5 GHz (Earth-to-Space) was previously concluded during early 2018. CRAF, representing the radio astronomy services (RAS) in Europe, have participated in the development of the first version for compatibility studies with the radio astronomy adjacent protected band 10.6 – 10.7 GHz, as well as for the secondary band 14.47 – 14.5 GHz.
The major update in the new version is the change of the altitude of the satellites to lower orbital levels. This should normally impact the coverage footprint of the satellite antenna beams and the power levels used. CRAF will be engaged in the review of the simulations provided by SpaceX to ensure the radio astronomy protection is achieved under the updated parameters.