Satellite Update – March 1, 2012

By Doug Lung
published


From FCC Report SAT-00847, Satellite Space Applications Accepted for Filing:

  • • The FCC International Bureau's Satellite Division accepted an application from Hughes Network System LLC to construct, launch and operate Ka/V-band Jupiter 77W at 77.3 degrees west longitude (WL). Jupiter 77W would provide fixed satellite service (FSS) using the 18.3-19.3 GHz, 19.7-20.2 GHz, and 39.0-42.0 GHz frequency bands (space-to-Earth) and 28.35-29.1 GHz and 47.2-50.2 GHz (Earth-to-space). Hughes requested a waiver to permit FSS operations in the 18.8-19.3 GHz band on a non-harmful interference basis. Operations in the 28.6-29.1 GHz bands will be on a secondary basis.
  • • Hughes seeks to provide FSS to the U.S. market using planned Ka/V-band satellite Jupiter 91W at 90.9 degrees WL. Jupiter 91W will operate under a United Kingdom authorization. Frequencies requested are 18.3-19.3 GHz, 19.7-20.2 GHz, and 39.0-42.0 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 28.35-29.1 GHz, 29.25-30.0 GHz and 47.2-50.2 GHz (Earth-to-space). As with Jupiter 77W, Hughes requested a waiver to permit FSS operations in the 18.8-19.3 GHz band on a non-harmful interference basis and stated operations in the 28.6-29.1 GHz bands will be on a secondary basis.


From FCC Report SAT-00848, Actions Taken:

  • o The Satellite Division granted Intelsat Licensee LLC authority to construct, launch and operate Intelsat 23 at 53.0 degrees WL and to provide FSS using C and Ku-band frequencies 3700-4200 MHz, 11.45-11.95 GHz and 11.95-12.2 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 5925-6425 MHz and 14.0-14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space). Telemetry, tracking and telecommand (TT&C) is authorized on specified C-band frequencies.
  • o Intelsat License LLC received special temporary authority (STA) for 30 days to conduct tests using the "India Beam" on Horizons 2 at 84.85 degrees east longitude (EL) in the 11.7-12.2 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 14.0-14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space) frequency bands.
  • o The conventional C- and Ku-band frequencies previously authorized for AMC-2 at 78.95 degrees WL and AMC-5 at 79.10 degrees WL became available for reassignment pursuant to the FCC's first-come, first-served licensing process at 2:00p.m. EST on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012.
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.