Satellite Update for May 12, 2014

By Doug Lung
published

From FCC Report SAT-01012, "Satellite Space Applications Accepted for Filing:"


• EchoStar Satellite Operating Corporation supplemented a pending application to modify EchoStar 15 by adding a request for flexibility in implementing the proposed re-pointing of EchoStar 15 as well as a waiver of Section 25.114 of the FCC's rules to allow the provision of relative gain isoline contour information for the steerable beams of EchoStar 15. EchoStar 15 is currently authorized to operate at 45.1 degrees west longitude (WL) using 12.2-12.7 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 17.3-17.8 GHz (Earth-to-space).

From FCC Report SAT-01013, "Actions Taken:"

• The FCC International Bureau's Satellite Division granted, with conditions, special temporary authority (STA) to Intelsat License LLC for 60 days to continue to provide fixed satellite service (FCC) from Intelsat 702 in inclined orbit mode at 32.9 degrees east longitude (EL) using the 3700-4200 MHz, 10.95-11.2 GHz, 11.45-11.70 GHz, and 12.5-12.75 GHz frequency (space-to-Earth) and 5925-6425 MHz and 14.0-14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space). Telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) operations are allowed on specified C-band frequencies.

• XM Radio LLC received STA for 180 days to perform TT&C operations necessary to drift its Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service (SDARS) XM-1 from 115.25 degrees WL to 27 degrees WL in preparation for de-orbit maneuvers using center frequencies 2339.2 MHz, 2339.7 MHz, 2344.0 MHz, 2344.5 MHz (space-to-Earth); and 7049.0 MHz and 7074.0 MHz (Earth-to-space).

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.