PanAmSat filed an application to modify its license for SBS-6 to extend the term of the license until five years from the license expiration date, or the date that a replacement for SBS-6 has been successfully placed into orbit and is fully operational under the terms and conditions of its authorization, whichever occurs first. Alternatively, PanAmSat requested Special Temporary Authority to continue operating the satellite for 180 days after its license expires. SBS-6 is a Ku-band only satellite at 74.05 degrees west longitude. PanAmSat also requested an extension of its STA to operating tracking, telemetry and command services on Galaxy 15 from 133.25 degrees WL. Space Communications Corp. requested that Superbird B-2, which is licensed by Japan at 162 degrees east longitude and operating on Ku-band, be added to the FCC's Permitted Space Station List. For additional information on these and other applications, see FCC Report SAT-00337.
The FCC granted, with conditions, DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC's application for extension of its STA to operate DIRECTV 2 at 100.6 degrees WL. EchoStar was granted STA to conduct tracking, telemetry and command and to operate at 77 degrees WL through and until Feb. 1, 2006, on a non-interferening basis. XM Radio was granted STA to operate one lower power terrestrial repeater (less than 2 kW EIRP) from Dec. 6 through Dec.12, 2005 at the PGA Tour event. For more information on these actions, see FCC Report SAT-00336.
PanAmSat's license for PAS-5 at 166 degrees EL was modified to reflect its as-built capacity to operate in the 12.25-12.75 GHz, 14.0-14.5 GHz, 3700-4200 MHz and 5925-6425 MHz frequency bands. The FCC said, "Our action here permits PanAmSat to make maximum use of its PAS-5 satellite and provide customers with increased service options." The satellite is not capable of operating in the 11.45-11.7 GHz band and the FCC removed that band from PanAmSat's authorization and made it available for reassignment to other applicants. See FCC Order and Authorization DA-06-6 for additional information.
The FCC issued an Order and Authorization DA-06-4 for AfriSpace, Inc. to launch and operate the AfriStar-2 satellite at 21 degrees EL.AfrisStar-2 provides Broadcasting-Satellite-Service (sound) to Africa and Europe on a non-common carrier basis using 2.6 MHz of spectrum in each polarization with a center frequency of 1479.5 MHz and feeder links and tele-command links in the 7025-7075 MHz band. The telemetry link will operate at 1491.7 MHz. The satellite will be co-located with AfriStar-1 at 21 degrees EL.
