Satellite Update

By Doug Lung
published

The FCC granted DirecTV Enterprises special temporary authority (STA) to conduct telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) operations necessary to relocate the DirecTV 10 satellite to 102.775 degrees west longitude (WL) using uplink frequencies 29.251 GHz and 29.493 GHz and downlink frequencies 18.30025 GHz and 18.30075 GHz.

The STA is valid for a period of 60 days starting Sept. 1, 2007. DirecTV is also authorized to operate the space feeder links in the 18.3-18.8 GHz band and service links in the 28.35-28.60 GHz and 29.25-29.50 GHz bands. DirecTV was previously authorized, under STA, to conduct in-orbit testing of DIRECTV 10 at 102.6 degrees WL.

The FCC International Bureau determined Star One S.A. has met the Critical Design Review and Commence Physical Construction milestones associated with its authorization for the Star One C-2 satellite. This allows Star One S.A. to reduce the bond amount by 25 percent for each milestone met. The Star One C-2 satellite will provide Ku-band satellite services to the U.S. from 70 degrees WL.

The information is from FCC Report SAT-00469 and IBFS.

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.