Satellite Update - June 11, 2010

By Doug Lung
published


From FCC Report SAT-00695 [PDF]:

  • • SkyTerra Subsidiary LLC requested modification of its authorization for MSAT-2/AMSC-1 at 101.3 degrees west longitude (WL) to authorize operations on frequencies currently assigned to SkyTerra at 103.3 degrees WL until customers are shifted to the SkyTerra-1 satellite. SkyTerra-1 is scheduled to be launched on or before October 31, 2010. SkyTerra also requested authority to operate the communications payload aboard MSAT-2 while in transit to 103.3 degrees WL. SkyTerra also requested a partial waiver of the FCC's end-of-life pressure-venting requirement.


From FCC Report SAT-00696 [PDF]:

  • • The FCC granted a request from DirecTV Enterprises LLC to conduct in-orbit testing of DirecTV 10 at 102.6 degrees WL using the 18.58-18.8 GHz (space-to-Earth) and the 28.35-28.6 GHz and 29.25-29.5 GHz (Earth-to-space) frequency bands. Following completion of the in-orbit testing, the FCC authorized DirecTV to operate the communications links and the telemetry, tracking and telecommand (TT&C) links of DirecTV 10 in the 18.3-18.8 GHz (space-to-Earth) frequency band and the 28.35-28.6 GHz and 29.25-29.5 GHz (Earth-to-space) frequency bands during the relocation of DirecTV 10 back to the 102.815 degree WL orbital location.
  • • Intelsat North America LLC received special temporary authority (STA) to conduct TT&C with Galaxy 27 and to provide fixed-satellite service from 45.1 degrees east longitude temporarily using the 3700-4200 MHz and 11.7-12.2 GHz frequency bands (space-to-Earth) and the 5925-6425 MHz and 14.0-14.5 GHz bands (Earth-to-space). TT&C is authorized using 6423.5 MHz and 4199.5 MHz frequencies.
  • • Sirius XM Radio, Inc was granted STA to operate a terrestrial repeater with an EIRP up to 2,000 Watts in Arlington, Va. for a period of 30 days using the 2332.5-2345 MHz Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service band.
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.