Satellite Update for April 26, 2013

By Doug Lung
published

From FCC Report SAT-00942: “Satellite Space Applications Accepted for Filing:”

• SES Americom requested modification of its authorization for MC-5 to operate it at 80.85 degrees west longitude (WL) rather than at 80.90 degrees WL, and to continue to provide fixed satellite service (FSS) including direct-to-home (DTH) service from the new location using 11.7-12.2 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 14.0-14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space). SES Americom also asked for permission to change AMC-5 station-keeping tolerance from ±0.1 degrees to ±0.15 degrees and for an extension of the license term for AMC-5 from Nov. 30, 2013 until July 31, 2014. Telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) operations would continue on specified Ku-band frequencies.

From FCC Report SAT-00943: “Actions Taken:”

• The FCC International Bureau's Satellite Division granted an application from DirecTV Enterprises to construct, launch, and operate DirecTV KU-76W at 76.0 degrees WL to provide FSS and DTH service using 11.7-12.2 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 14.0-14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space). TT&C operations are authorized using center frequencies 11.704 GHz and 11.705 GHz (space-to-Earth); and 14.005 and 14.495 GHz (Earth-to-space).

From FCC Memorandum Opinion and Order (DA 13-854) EchoStar Application for Special Temporary Authority Related to Moving the EchoStar 6 Satellite from the 77 degree WL. Orbital Location to the 96.2 degree WL Orbital Location, and to Operate at the 96.2 degree W.L.

Orbital Location:

• The FCC’s International Bureau denied the request from Spectrum Five LLC filed on April 5, 2013 for a stay of the grant of STA to EchoStar Satellite Operating Company authorizing EchoStar, commencing April 1, 2013 and continuing for 60 days, to operate TT&C frequencies necessary to move EchoStar 6 from 76.8 degrees WL to 96.2 degrees WL and to operate it at that location using 12.2-12.7 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 17.3-17.8 GHz (Earth-to-space). The MO&O states:”Applying the well-established framework for analysis of requests for stay, we find that a stay is not warranted. We conclude that Spectrum Five has not established that it is likely to prevail on the merits, that it will be irreparably harmed absent a stay, or that public interest considerations warrant a stay.”

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.