Satellite Update for Dec. 12, 2013

By Doug Lung
published

From FCC Report SAT-00984, “Actions Taken:”

• The FCC International Bureau's Satellite Division granted, with conditions special temporary authority (STA) to Intelsat License LLC for 30 days to provide fixed satellite service (FSS) via Intelsat 702 in inclined orbit at 32.9 degrees east longitude (EL) using 3700-4200 MHz, 10.95-11.2 GHz, 11.45-11.70 GHz, and 12.5-12.75 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 5925-6425 MHz and 14.0-14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space). Intelsat is also authorized to conduct telemetry, tracking and command operations necessary to maintain Intelsat 702 at 32.9 degrees EL using specified C-band frequencies.

• Intelsat also received STA for 60 days to provide FSS via Intelsat 701 in inclined orbit at 29.5 degrees west longitude (WL) using 3700-4200 MHz, 10.95-11.2 GHz, 11.45-11.70 GHz, 11.7-11.95 GHz and 12.5-12.7 GHz (space-to-Earth), and 3700-4200 MHz and 14.0-14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space). TT&C is allowed on specified C-band frequencies.

• Planet Labs was granted authority to launch and operate 20 non-geostationary orbit remote-sensing satellites that transmit image and telemetry data to fixed earth stations using the 8025-8400 MHz frequency band, and receive command signals in the 2025-2110 MHz band (note this band is shared with Part 74 broadcast auxiliary service microwave networks). The Satellite Division also granted authority to Planet Labs to use the 401-402 MHz and 449.75-450.25 MHz bands for early-phase and emergency-backup telemetry, tracking, and command operations.

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.