Satellite Update – Dec. 8. 2011

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From FCC Report SAT-00825:

  • •Telesat Canada filed a Petition for Declaratory Ruling requesting addition of the Ka-band payload on Anik F3 to the FCC's Permitted Space Station List. Anik F3 is at 118.7 degrees west longitude (WL). The C- and Ku-band payloads are already on the Permitted List. Anik F3 will provide fixed satellite service (FSS) in the 19.7-20.2 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 29.4-29.9 GHz (Earth-to-space) frequency bands.
  • •Pegasus Development DBS Corporation filed an application for consent to transfer control of 95 License Subsidiary and its 17/24 GHz space station authorization at 95 degrees WL to Spectrum Five LLC.
  • •Orbcomm License Corporation requested modification of its authorization for a non-voice, non-geostationary mobile satellite service (Little LEO) system and authority for imminent launch and operation of one next-generation satellite with a target inclination of 51.6 degrees and a target operational altitude of 750 km. It also requested authority for later launch of 17 additional next-generation satellites into four evenly spaced orbital planes. Orbcomm stated all 18 satellites will be launched within the milestone schedule specified in its current authorization.


From FCC Report SAT-00826:

  • •Intelsat License LLC received special temporary authority (STA) for 60 days to conduct telemetry, tracking and telecommand (TT&C) operations necessary to begin the drift of Horizons 2 from 74.05 degrees WL to 84.85 degrees east longitude (EL) using specified Ku-band frequencies.
  • •The FCC International Bureau's Satellite Division granted Intelsat License LLC STA for 30 days to continue TT&C operations with Intelsat 706 using specified C-band frequencies. Intelsat was also allowed to continue to provide FSS from 72.0 degrees EL on a temporary basis using conventional C-band frequencies and Ku frequencies 10.95-11.2 GHz, 11.45-11.70 GHz and 12.50-12.75 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 14.0-14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space).
  • •ViaSat, Inc. was granted STA for 30 days to conduct in-orbit testing of ViaSat-1 at 115.1 degrees WL using 28.1-29.1 GHz and 29.5-30.0 GHz (Earth-to-space) and 18.3-19.3 GHz and 19.7-20.2 GHz (space-to-Earth). Testing at a variance from the authorized parameters is permitted.
  • •Intelsat License LLC received STA for 30 days to continue to conduct TT&C necessary to maintain Galaxy 12 as an in-orbit space at 132.9 degrees WL using specified C-band frequencies. Intelsat is also authorized to operate Galaxy 12 as an in-orbit space at that location using conventional C-band frequencies. In a separate action, the FCC granted Intelsat STA for 30 days to operate TT&C necessary to move Galaxy 12 from 132.9 degrees WL to 129.0 degrees WL and to operate it at that location using conventional C-band frequencies.
  • •Intelsat was granted STA to conduct TT&C necessary to drift Intelsat 701 from 180.0 degrees EL to 72.1 degrees EL, using specified C-band frequencies. The FCC dismissed Intelsat's request to provide FSS from 72.1 degrees EL without prejudice to re-filing as part of a future application.
  • •The Satellite Division granted STA to XM Radio LLC for 30 days to activate the communications payload of Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service (SDARS) XM-5 at 85.15 degrees WL for in-orbit performance tests in the 2320-2345 GHz (space-to-Earth) frequency band.
  • •DG Consents' request for STA for 60 days to operate the QuickBird Earth Exploration Satellite Service satellite at an altitude of 482 kilometers instead of the previously authorized 450 kilometers.
Doug Lung
Doug Lung
Contributor

Doug Lung is one of America's foremost authorities on broadcast RF technology. As vice president of Broadcast Technology for NBCUniversal Local, H. Douglas Lung leads NBC and Telemundo-owned stations’ RF and transmission affairs, including microwave, radars, satellite uplinks, and FCC technical filings. Beginning his career in 1976 at KSCI in Los Angeles, Lung has nearly 50 years of experience in broadcast television engineering. Beginning in 1985, he led the engineering department for what was to become the Telemundo network and station group, assisting in the design, construction and installation of the company’s broadcast and cable facilities. Other projects include work on the launch of Hawaii’s first UHF TV station, the rollout and testing of the ATSC mobile-handheld standard, and software development related to the incentive auction TV spectrum repack. A longtime columnist for TV Technology, Doug is also a regular contributor to IEEE Broadcast Technology. He is the recipient of the 2023 NAB Television Engineering Award. He also received a Tech Leadership Award from TV Tech publisher Future plc in 2021 and is a member of the IEEE Broadcast Technology Society and the Society of Broadcast Engineers.