Here is an update on FCC satellite actions last week:
The FCC returned an SES Americom amendment to its application to construct, launch and operate a geostationary satellite (AMC-15) in the fixed satellite service at 105 degrees West Longitude (WL) using the Ku and Ka frequency bands. The FCC found the May 2004 amendment to be defective, noting that while the analog emission designator 36M0F3W was included in its supplemental interference analysis, the filing did not include "details of a link noise budget, overall link performance analysis or performance objectives for this type of service as required by Section 25.114(c)(8)." The filing was dismissed without prejudice to refiling. For details see FCC DA 04-1707.
The FCC also dismissed a filing by AfriSpace, Inc. to launch and operate a replacement satellite AfriStar-2 at 21 degrees East Longitude (EL). See FCC DA 04-1719 for more information. A filing by Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corporation for a proposed Ka-band/V-band hybrid fixed-satellite service network and applications and amendments for authority to operate a global satellite system employing geostationary and non-geostationary satellites was held by the FCC pending receipt of additional information, including the interference analysis described in the Public Notice mentioned in this week's RF Report article: International Bureau Clarifies Space Station Interference Analysis Requirements. For more information, including the frequencies the Northrop Grumman system would use, see FCC DA 04-1725. Similar information was requested of ContactMEO Communications, LLC for it's proposed non-geostationary orbit fixed satellite system using the Ka-band. See DA 04-1722 for details.
The International Bureau granted SES Americom launch and operating authority for AMC-9 at 85 degrees WL.
PanAmSat was authorized to operate Galaxy V at 125.05 degrees WL, SBS-6 at 74.05 degrees WL, PAS-8B at 43.1 degrees WL, PAS-21 at 68.65 degrees EL, and Galaxy 3C at 95.05 degrees WL. The AMAZONAS-1 satellite at 61 degrees WL was added to the U.S. Permitted Space Station List, with conditions. For details on these grants and conditions associated with them, see FCC Report No. SAT-00222.
The FCC accepted for filing an amendment from SES Americom to its pending application for AMC-15 as a replacement for the GSTAR-4 satellite. The application provides the information requested by the FCC as described earlier in this article. SES Americom also requested extension of its special temporary authority (STA) to December 17, 2004 for operation of Satcom C-1 at 37.5 degrees WL. Intelsat North America requested an extension its STA to provide "additional services" to former customers of Loral Satellite Inc. and Loral Spacecom Corporation. For details on these and other applications, see Report SAT-00221.
