Satellite Update – April 7, 2011

By Doug Lung
published

  • •Remember Galaxy 15? At this time last year we were worried about its impact on other satellites as it drifted east. Last week the FCC granted Intelsat License LLC, with conditions, special temporary authority (STA) to operate Galaxy 15 as an in-orbit spare at 133.1 degrees west longitude (WL) for a period of 30 days. At this location, transmissions will be limited to those required for telemetry, tracking and telecommand (TT&C). The frequencies allowed are centered one 6420.5 MHz (Earth-to-space) and 4198.0 MHz and 4199.875 MHz (space-to-Earth).
  • •SES Americom, Inc. has been given STA for 30 days to operate AMC-9 at 83 degrees WL with a 0.4 degree change in the north/south orientation of its C-band reflector from the orientation previously authorized. A glimpse at the application on the FCC IBFS showed SES Americom wants to see if this shift will enhance AMC-9 coverage in the southern United States.
  • •The FCC granted EchoStar Corporation's application for STA to conduct TT&C with EchoStar 3 necessary to operate it as an in-orbit spare at 61.45 degrees WL. Frequency bands authorized are 12.2-12.7 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 17.3-17.8 GHz (Earth-to-space).
  • •The FCC modified the authorization for Intelsat New Dawn's New Dawn C- and Ku-band satellite at 32.8 degrees east longitude (EL) in response to New Dawn's request several technical changes. These changes include deletion of the 6500-6550 MHz band (Earth-to-space) from the application. Under the revised modification, New Dawn will use 3625-4200 MHz, 10.95-11.2 GHz, and 11.45-11.70 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 5850-6500 MHz and 14.0-14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space). TT&C is authorized on specified C-band frequencies as well as 11.198 GHz and 11.452 GHz (space-to-Earth). Unfortunately Intelsat has experienced some problems with New Dawn's launch.
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.