Satellite Update

By Doug Lung
published

Most of the applications listed as accepted in FCC Report SAT-00535 are requests for authority to construct, launch and operate 17/24 GHz Broadcasting-Satellite Service space stations.

The applications listed below for DirecTV Enterprises LLC specify operations using 17.3–17.7 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 24.75–25.15 GHz (Earth-to-space) with telemetry, tracking and command operations at the lower edges of these bands:

  • 99.175 degrees west longitude (WL)—reduced power, without full interference protection
  • 102.825 degrees WL—reduced power, without full interference protection
  • 118.4 degrees WL—full power and interference protection
  • 110.9 degrees WL—reduced power, without full interference protection


The applications listed below for EchoStar Corp., also use 17.3–17.7 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 24.75–25.15 GHz (Earth-to-space). The 17.7–17.8 GHz band was requested for international space-to-Earth service only. Telemetry, tracking and command operations would be conducted at the edges of the 12.2–12.7 GHz DBS (space-to-Earth) band and the associated 17.3–17.8 GHz FSS (Earth-to-space) band for limited periods during launch, transfer orbit and emergency operations. Regular on-station telemetry operations would be conducted in the 12.2–12.7 GHz (space-to-Earth) frequency band.

  • 62.35 degrees WL—full power and interference protection
  • 110.4 degrees WL—reduced power, without full interference protection
  • 107 degrees WL—full power and interference protection
  • 79 degrees WL—full power and interference protection
  • 75 degrees WL—full power and interference protection


Pegasus Development DBS Corp., filed the applications listed below for authority to construct, launch and operate 17/24 GHz BSS space stations using 17.3–17.7 GHz and, for international use only, 17.7–17.8 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 24.75–25.25 GHz (Earth-to-space). Tracking telemetry and command functions would use frequencies at the band edges.

  • 115 degrees WL—full power and interference protection (Command: 24.755 GHz; Telemetry 17.303 GHz; Beacon 17.695 GHz)
  • 107 degrees WL—full power and interference protection
  • 91 degrees WL – full power and interference protection


Intelsat North America LLC filed applications for authority to construct, launch and operate 17/24 GHz BSS space stations using 17.3–17.7 GHz and17.7–17.8 GHz for international use only (space-to-Earth) and 24.75–25.25 GHz (Earth-to-space). Regular on-station telemetry, tracking and command operations (TT&C) would use the lower edge of the 17.3–17.7 GHz band (space-to-Earth) and the lower and upper band edges of the 24.75–25.25 GHz band (Earth-to-space). Intelsat seeks a waiver to use the upper band edge of the 3,700–4,200 MHz band for emergency TT&C and launch and early orbit phase transmissions.

  • 122.9 degrees WL—reduced power, without full interference protection
  • 90.9 degrees WL—reduced power, without full interference protection
  • 95.15 degrees WL—reduced power, without full interference protection


FCC Report SAT-00535 lists several amendments filed by DirecTV Enterprises; Intelsat North America LLC; EchoStar Satellite Operating LLC; and Pegasus Development DBS Corp. Details on the amendments were not provided in Report SAT-00535. Additional information should be available using IBFS and searching on the application numbers listed in the report.

The FCC International Bureau’s Satellite Division granted EchoStar’s request for special temporary authority allowing EchoStar to conduct TT&C communications related to the relocation of the EchoStar 6 satellite from its current orbital position at 110.4 degrees WL to 72.7 degrees WL for up to 60 days, effective July 2, 2008. Once Echostar 6 is at 72.7 degrees, its U.S. license will be terminated. PanAmSat received STA for a period of 60 days starting July 1, 2008, to conduct TT&C operations with the Galaxy 12 satellite to effect the drift of the satellite from 125.1 degrees WL to 122.9 degrees WL. Different TT&C frequencies are authorized for the 125.1 to 124.0 degree portion of the move. See FCC Report SAT-00535 for details.

Other actions listed in FCC Report SAT-00535 include two grants of STA, both lasting 180 days, to XM Radio Inc. for terrestrial repeaters. One STA allows an indoor terrestrial repeater with an effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) of up to 0.5 watts (average) in Vienna, Va. The other allows a terrestrial repeater with an EIRP of up to 2,000 watts (average) in Torrance, Calif. The International Bureau has determined that DirecTV and Star One met the launch and operation deadlines for DirecTV 10 and Star One C2, respectively.

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.