Satellite Update for June 2, 2014

By Doug Lung
published

From FCC Report SAT-01016, "Satellite Space Applications Accepted for Filing:"

• Intelsat License LLC requested special temporary authority (STA) for 180 days commencing July 1, 2014 to drift Intelsat 7 from 68.65 degrees east longitude (EL) to 18.2 degrees west longitude (WL), collocated with Intelsat 901. Intelsat will use center frequencies 11451.0 MHz and 11453 MHz (space-to-Earth) and 13998 MHz (Earth-to-space) for telemetry, tracking and command operations (TT&C) necessary to drift the satellite to its new location.


• Intelsat License LLC requested STA for 120 days to continue to provide Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) from Intelsat 10 and conduct TT&C necessary to maintain it at 79.0 degrees WL. Intelsat 10 uses the11.7-12.2 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 14.0-14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space) frequency bands for FSS and specified Ku-band frequencies for TT&C.

From FCC Report SAT-01017, "Actions Taken:"

• The FCC International Bureau's Satellite Division granted, with conditions, an application from Intelsat License LLC to modify its authorization for Intelsat 9 to specify operations at 43.1 degrees WL providing FSS using 3700-4200 MHz, 11.45-11.70 GHz, and 11.7-12.2 (space-to-Earth) and 5925-6425 MHz and 14.0-14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space). TT&C is authorized on specified Ku-band frequencies.

• The Satellite Division granted in part and deferred in part an application from Iridium Constellation LLC to extend the license term for its "Big LEO" non-geostationary orbit Mobile Satellite Service constellation. Iridium is allowed to continue operations of its current constellation in the 1617.775-1626.5 MHz (service link), 19.4-19.6 GHz (feeder downlink and TT&C), 29.1-29.3 GHz (feeder uplink and TT&C), and 23.18-23.38 (inter-satellite link) frequency bands until Jan. 31, 2018. The Satellite Division deferred Iridium's request to extend its license term beyond Jan. 31, 2018. Report SAT-01017 states the request "will be resolved based on information developed in IBFS File Nos. SAT-MOD-20131227-00148 and SAT-MOD-20080701-00140 concerning future service requirements and end-of-life maneuver capabilities.

Doug Lung
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.