By B.N. Frank

Despite expert warnings, opposition and accidents, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) continues to approve more satellites and similar vehicles to provide internet coverage – including 5G – from space (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12).

Lawsuits have been filed against the agency for NOT protecting Americans from unsafe levels of radiation as well as 5G on ground (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) and in space. Regardless, they’ve approved more satellites to be launched to blast WiFi at us.

From Ars Technica:

Bankrupt OneWeb gets FCC approval for another 1,280 broadband satellites

OneWeb can launch up to 2,000 satellites, seeks permission for another 48,000.

Amid a bankruptcy and a pending sale, OneWeb has secured US approval to offer broadband service from 2,000 satellites.

OneWeb already had Federal Communications Commission approval for a 720-satellite constellation that was green-lit in June 2017. In an order released yesterday, the FCC gave OneWeb approval for another 1,280 satellites.

The first 720 satellites, of which OneWeb has launched 74, are for low Earth orbital altitudes of 1,200km. The additional 1,280 satellites were approved for medium Earth orbits of 8,500km. Both are much lower than the 35,000km geostationary orbits used by traditional satellite-broadband networks, which should result in lower latency and a better experience for Internet users.