The FCC International Bureau granted the application of Loral Orion to relocate and operate the Telstar 11 Ku-band satellite assigned to 37.5 degrees West Longitude (WL) at 37.55 degrees WL as part of a collocation adjustment undertaken in conjunction with the move of Columbia Communication Corporation's new AMC-12 C-band satellite into the 37.45 degree WL position. The FCC also granted Columbia's application to use this location instead of the originally assigned 37.5 degree WL location. For more information, see FCC Report SAT-00290.
DirecTV Enterprises requested special temporary authority (STA) to operate the DBS communications payload on the DirecTV 8 satellite for (1) tracking, telemetry and command (TT&C) functions at and during transit between the 102.8 degree WL, 99.2 degree WL and 101 degree WL orbital locations and (2) for in-orbit testing at the 99.2 degree WL location for a period of up to 18 days ending June 23, 2005. DirecTV also asked for STA to operate the Ka-band communications payload on DirecTV 8 at 102.8 degrees WL for up to four days ending on June 3, 2005 and, after it arrives at 99.2 degrees WL, operate the Ka-band payload there for a period of up to 18 days ending June 23, 2005. DirecTV said the Ka-band testing was to "conduct proof of concept video transmissions to recently developed multi-feed consumer terminals and verify accurate pointing of feeder link earth station antennas licensed to communicate" with these locations. The DirecTV 8 satellite is scheduled for launch this Saturday. This information is from FCC Report SAT-00291.
This week I noticed the Systems Analysis Branch of the FCC International Bureau's Satellite Division returned multiple satellite earth station applications. Some of the applications were returned because they were missing specific technical information requested on the forms. Applicants proposing the use of Ku-band transmit antennas smaller than 1.2 meters in diameter should make sure that they either specify specific satellites as the points of communication and include affidavits from adjacent satellite operators for use of the non-conforming antenna or, select the "Permitted Lists" as points of communication and include a 2 degree compliance demonstration as specified in Section 25.209(f) for the FCC Rules.
