> The filing, submitted through the Kingdom of Tonga, marks the first time SpaceX has used Tonga for this purpose.
Why did SpaceX do this? What's significant about Tonga?
Why did SpaceX do this? What's significant about Tonga?
"Tongasat is the licensed agent of the Kingdom of Tonga responsible for making and coordinating Tonga's satellite filings to the International Telecommunication Union and then licensing those satellite filings to international satellite operators for their commercial use, in effect a flag of convenience for space. Tonga was the sixth-largest claimant of orbital slots due to Tongasat's efforts.[1] In 2002, Tongasat launched the Esiafi 1 satellite; as of 2015, a satellite in its spot was still in operation."
Starlink named this constellation ESIAFI II.
Starlink provided free internet services to Tonga last year after a devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami.
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/musks-starlink-co...
"Southern Cross Cable reported that the eruption may have broken the Tonga Cable System, which connects Tonga to Southern Cross's trans-Pacific cable in Fiji.[196] Southern Cross cited a fault in the international cable 37 km (23 mi) from Nukuʻalofa, and a further fault in a domestic cable 47 km (29 mi) from Nukuʻalofa.[197] New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern had earlier stated that an undersea cable serving Tonga was affected, probably due to power cuts, and authorities were urgently attempting to restore communications.[198] The chair of the Tonga Cable System, Samiuela Fonua, stated that repair crews would not be cleared to access the site of the faults before volcanic activity ceased at Hunga Tonga; with additional preparation time necessary for the repairs, internet services could be unavailable for over two weeks after the eruption."