The Federal Communications Commission announced new rules in July for earth stations in motion (ESIMs). ESIMs include earth stations on vessels, vehicle-mounted earth stations, and those on aircraft, that communicate with space stations (aka satellites) using frequencies allocated to the fixed satellite service. The FCC stated that its new rules:
allow ESIMs to communicate in additional frequency bands with geostationary-satellite orbit (GSO) satellites operating in bands allocated to the fixed-satellite service (FSS). Second, we adopt rules for ESIMs to communicate with non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellites in specific frequency bands allocated to the FSS. Finally, we seek to further develop the record regarding potential interference from out-of-band emissions of ESIMs in the 28.35–28.6 GHz band into the adjacent 27.5–28.35 GHz band used by Upper Microwave Flexible Use Service (UMFUS). These actions will promote innovative and flexible use of satellite technology, as well as provide regulatory equity between GSO and NGSO FSS systems.
Separately, the FCC issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to further develop its record regarding potential interference from any out-of-band emissions of ESIMs in the 28.35–28.6 GHz band into the adjacent 27.5–28.35 GHz band used by the Upper Microwave Flexible Use Service. Comments are due August 24, 2020. Reply comments are due September 22, 2020.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is requesting information on the age limits it is considering for geodetic control marks before December 31, 2021. Specifically,
The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) is considering imposing age limits on the observations that will be used in the creation of 2020.00 Reference Epoch Coordinates (RECs), as part of the modernization of the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS). Due to expected uncertainties in the vertical component of the Intra-Frame Velocity Model (IFVM), the age limits cannot be determined until well-structured, data-driven experiments have been conducted. Such experiments are expected to occur during the 2020 reference epoch adjustment projects (geometric, orthometric and gravimetric), which are scheduled for calendar year 2022. Therefore, NGS requests that users take new Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) observations on geodetic control marks of interest, especially those marks that have not been surveyed since January 1, 2010, and share them with NGS before December 31, 2021.
Details on NOAA’s modernization plan for the National Spatial Reference System may be found here.