Satellite Update for Jan. 16, 2015

From FCC Report SAT-01060, “Satellite Space Applications Accepted for Filing”

ViaSat, Inc. requested modification of its grant of U.S. market access for ViaSat-2 at 69.9 degrees west longitude (WL) to conform the grant to the technical parameters of its satellite under contract for construction. ViaSat-2 will operate under the authority of the United Kingdom and was granted access to the U.S. market to provide fixed-satellite-service (FSS) using frequency bands 18.3-19.3 GHz and 19.7-20.2 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 28.1-29.1 GHz and 29.5-30.0 GHz (Earth-to-space). The modifications include telemetry, tracking, command (TT&C) operations on center frequencies 18,301 MHz and 18,303 MHz (space-to-Earth) and 29,501 MHz and 29,999 MHz (Earth-to-space).

Intelsat License LLC requested special temporary authority (STA) for 180 days to provide FSS via Intelsat 7 in the 3400-3625 MHz (space-to-Earth) and 6425-6650 MHz (Earth-to-space) frequency bands from 18.2 degrees WL. TT&C is requested using specified Ku-band frequencies.

From FCC Report SAT-01062, “Actions Taken”

The FCC International Bureau's Satellite Division granted DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC's application for modification of its authorization for SPACEWAY 2 to allow operation at 99.075 degrees WL instead of its previously authorized location at 99.115 degrees WL. SPACEWAY 2 is allowed to provide FSS using 18.3-18.8 GHz and 19.7-20.2 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 28.35-28.60 GHz and 29.25-30.0 GHz (Earth-to-space).

EchoStar Satellite Operating Corporation was granted STA for 180 days to continue to conduct TT&C operations necessary to maintain DBS satellite EchoStar 3 at 61.8 degrees WL as an in-orbit spare using center frequencies 12.201 GHz, 12.203 GHz, and 12.699 GHz (space-to-Earth); and 17.3015 GHz (Earth-to-space).

Intelsat License LLC received STA for 30 days to continue to conduct TT&C necessary to maintain Intelsat 7 at 18.2 degrees WL using specified Ku-band frequencies.

The Satellite Division granted Inmarsat plc's petition to add Inmarsat 4F3 at 98 degrees WL to the Commission's “ISAT List”. U.S. licensed earth stations with “ISAT” listed as a point of communication are permitted to access Inmarsat 4F3 using 1525-1559 MHz (space-to-Earth) and 1626.5 – 1660.5 MHz (Earth-to-space) without additional authorization from the FCC, provide the earth station complies with FCC technical requirements and operates under the conditions of its license.

Doug Lung

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.