Satellite Update for Jan. 4, 2013

From FCC Report SAT-00920, “Satellite Space Applications Accepted for Filing”:

• LightSquared Subsidiary LLC requested an extension of its license term for MSAT-2 at 103.3 degrees west longitude (WL) to allow more time for transitioning customers to its second-generation SkyTerra-1. MSAT-2 uses 1530-1544 MHz and 1545-1559 MHz (space-to-Earth) and 1631.5-1645.5 MHz and 1646.6-1660.5 MHz (Earth-to-space) for service links and 13.0-13.15 GHz and 13.2-13.25 GHz (Earth-to-space) for feeder links. Telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) uses center frequencies 11.7005 GHz and 11.701 GHz, (space-to-Earth), and 14.0005 GHz and 14.4995 GHz, (Earth-to-space).

• EchoStar Satellite Operating Corporation requested special temporary authority (STA) for 180 days to operate EchoStar 15 at 61.65 degrees WL and provide DBS service on DBS Channels 1-22 and 25-32, using 17.3-17.8 GHz for Earth-to-space connectivity and 12.2-12.7 GHz for space-to-Earth linkage.

• Iridium Constellation LLC requested modification of its authorization for a constellation of non-geostationary-orbit Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) satellites to permit a spare satellite to be positioned in a parking orbit at a mission altitude of 778 km, approximately 300 km behind one of the operational satellites in the Iridium constellation, rather than its currently authorized parking orbit at 645 km. TT&C operations for the spare satellite will use 19.4-19.5 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 29.1-29.3 GHz (Earth-to-space) frequency bands.

From FCC Report SAT-00921, “Actions Taken”:

• The FCC International Bureau's Satellite Division granted in part (with conditions), and denied in part, an application from DirecTV Enterprises, LLC for STA to Dec. 31, 2012, to conduct TT&C operations necessary to maintain DirecTV 1R at 55.8 degrees East Longitude (EL) using center frequencies 17.305 GHz and 17.799 GHz (Earth-to-space); and 12.69825 GHz and 12.69925 GHz (space-to-Earth). The Satellite Division denied DirecTV's request for a grant nunc pro tunc (now for then). On Dec. 14, 2012, DirecTV was granted STA for 30 days to conduct in-orbit testing of DirecTV 1R using 12.2-12.5 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 17.3-17.8 GHz (Earth-to-space).

• Intelsat License LLC received STA for 30 days to perform TT&C operations with Intelsat 707 to execute end-of-life maneuvers to boost Intelsat 707 from 53.0 degrees WL to a disposal orbit with a minimum perigee altitude of 150 km above the geostationary arc using center frequencies 3948.0 MHz and 3952.0 MHz (space-to-Earth) and 6173.7 MHz and 6176.3 MHz (Earth-to-space).

• Intelsat was granted STA for 30 days to continue to provide Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) from Intelsat 701 at 157.0 degrees EL using 3700-4200 MHz, 10.95-11.2 GHz, 11.45-11.70 GHz, 11.7-11.95 GHz, and 12.5-12.75 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 5925-6425 MHz and 14.0-14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space). TT&C is authorized on specified C-band frequencies.

• The Satellite Division granted a request from Intelsat for STA to continue to conduct TT&C operations with Intelsat 706 to drift it from 72.0 degrees EL to 157.0 degrees EL using specified C-band frequencies.

• Intelsat received STA for 60 days to continue to conduct TT&C necessary to drift Intelsat 702 from 47.5 degrees EL to 33.0 degrees EL using specified C-band frequencies. Intelsat is also allowed to temporarily operate Intelsat 702 in inclined orbit mode at 33.0 degrees EL and provide FSS in the 3700-4200 MHz, 10.95-11.2 GHz, 11.45-11.7 GHz, and 12.5-12.75 GHz frequency bands (space-to-Earth) and 5925-6425 MHz and 14.0-14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space).

• Iridium Constellation LLC was granted STA for 60days to modify the operations of its “Big LEO” band non-geostationary satellite orbit constellation to continue to operate satellite SV023 as a non-transmitting spare satellite approximately 300 km behind satellite SV094 at an altitude of approximately 778 km. Iridium also received STA for 60 days to continue to co-locate one if its space in-orbit satellites with another satellite in its orbital constellation.

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.