Satellite Update

XM Radio asked the FCC for authority to modify the license of its S-band/X-band satellite XM-1 to relocate the satellite to 85.2 degrees West Longitude from the current 115.1 degree WL location. At 85.2 degrees, XM Radio would cease transmitting on XM-1 and maintain it as an in-orbit spare for the XM-3 satellite currently operating at 85.1 degrees WL. XM Radio also requested special temporary authority to drift XM-1 to 115.1 degrees WL, operate it at that location for a period of time, and then drift it to 85.2 degrees WL. XM Radio requested STA to test the XM-4 satellite at 110.7 degrees WL for 90 days following launch and then drift it to the 115 degree WL orbital location once testing is completed. For additional information on these applications, see FCC Report SAT-00368.

The FCC approved SES Americom's request for modification of its authorization to relocate in-orbit hybrid Ka- and Ku-band satellite AMC-15 from 105.0 degrees WL to 105.05 degrees WL. At that location, AMC-16 will operate in the 11.7-12.2 GHz (space-to-Earth), 14.0-14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space), 18.6-18.8 GHz and 19.7-20.2 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 28.4-28.6 and 29.5-30.0 GHz (Earth-to-space) frequency bands. The FCC granted, with conditions, PanAmSat's request for STA to conduct in-orbit testing of hybrid C- and Ku-band satellite Galaxy 16 at 76.5 degrees WL for 30 days. For additional information on these actions, see FCC Report SAT-00369.