Satellite Update for June 5, 2014

By Doug Lung
published

From FCC Report SAT-01018, "Satellite Space Applications Accepted for Filing:"


• Intelsat License LLC requested special temporary authority (STA) for 180 days to conduct telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) operations necessary to drift Intelsat 16 from its currently authorized location at 79.0 degrees west longitude (WL) to 76.0 degrees WL using specified Ku-band frequencies. Intelsat also request STA to provide Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) from 79.0 degrees WL after Intelsat 16 arrives at that location using 11.7-12.2 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 14.0-14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space).

• Intelsat also requested STA for 180 days to conduct TT&C operations necessary to move Intelsat 5 from its currently authorized location at 50.15 degrees east longitude (EL) to 157.0 degrees EL using specified Ku-band frequencies. Intelsat requested STA to provide FSS from Intelsat 5 at 157.0 degrees using 3700-4200 MHz, 10.7-10.95 GHz, 11.2-11.45 GHz, and 11.45-11.7 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 5925-6425 MHz, 12.75-13.25 GHz, and 14.0-14.25 GHz (Earth-to-space).

• XM Radio LLC requested modification of its authorization for XM-4 at 115.25 WL by extending its Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service (SDARS) eight-year license term for an additional eight years, through Nov. 15, 2022. XM Radio is currently authorized to use XM-4 to provide SDARS from 115.25 degrees WL using 2332.5-2345.0 MHz (space-to-Earth) and receive feeder link transmissions in the 7025-7075 MHz (Earth-to-space) frequency band.

From FCC Report SAT-01019, "Actions Taken:"

• The FCC International Bureau's Satellite Division granted, with conditions, STA to Intelsat License LLC for 30 days to conduct TT&C necessary to drift Intelsat 5 from 50.15 degrees EL to 157.0 degrees EL using center frequencies 14.498 GHz and 13.999 GHz (Earth-to-space) and 11.451 GHz, 11.452 GHz, and 11.454 GHz (space-to-Earth).

• Iridium Constellation LLC received STA for 30 days to operate one additional satellite in its non-geostationary orbit constellation in a manner consistent with a revised post-mission disposal plan it proposed in a pending license modification application (IBFS File SAT-MOD-20080701-00140). The Satellite Division also granted Iridium STA for 180-day to operate six satellite consistent with its revised disposal plan. See file SAT-STA-20131114-00134 granted Dec. 24, 2013.

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.