Satellite Update-Feb. 13, 2009

From FCC Report SAT-00578:

New Skies Satellites B.V. filed a petition for a declaratory ruling allowing it to provide service to the U.S. market from its NSS-9 satellite at 177 degrees west longitude (WL) using extended C-band frequencies 3625-3700 MHz (space-to-Earth) and 5850-5925 MHz (Earth-to-space). New Skies requested waivers of Sections 25.210(a)(1) and (3), and Section 25.211(a) of the FCC rules.

The FCC granted a request from EchoStar Operating LLC to operate EchoStar 5 satellite at 148 degrees WL using DBS channels 1-32 in the 12.2-12.7 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 17.3-17.8 GHz (Earth-to-space) frequency bands. EchoStar was allowed to suspend operations at 148 degrees WL on DBS channels 2-32 (even) for more than 90 days. The EchoStar 2 satellite, which operated on these channels, experienced an in-orbit failure in July 2008.

DirecTV Enterprises received special temporary authority (STA) to perform tracking, telemetry and command functions with the DirecTV 1 satellite for a period of 30 days, starting Feb. 2, 2009, in order to execute end-of-life maneuvers boosting the satellite to a disposal orbit above the geostationary arc. Last week's list of actions, FCC Report SAT-00577, also describes other administrative actions regarding Hughes Communications, Horizons Satellite LLC and Intelsat.