Satellite Update – May 10, 2012

By Doug Lung
published


The following is from FCC Report SAT-00864, Satellite Space Applications Accepted for Filing.

  • •The FCC International Bureau's Satellite Division accepted an application from DIRECTV Enterprises LLC seeking authority to launch and operate DIRECTV KU-79W at 79.8 degrees west longitude (WL) and provide direct-to-home service and fixed-satellite service (FSS) in the 11.7-12.2 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 14.0-14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space) bands. Telemetry, tracking and control (TT&C) operations will use 11704 MHz and 11705 MHz.
  • •Intelsat License LLC requested authority to launch and operate Intelsat 21 at 58.0 degrees WL and provide FSS using 3700-4200 MHz and 11.45-12.20 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 5925-6425 MHz and 14.0-14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space). The frequencies 11451.25/11453.25 MHz or 11451.75/11453.75 MHz, 13750.5 MHz and 13994.5 MHz are requested for TT&C.


The following is from FCC Report SAT-00865, Actions Taken.

  • •The Satellite Division granted EchoStar Satellite Operating Corporation special temporary authority (STA) to conduct TT&C operations necessary to drift EchoStar 3 from 61.45 degrees WL to 61.8 degrees WL and to maintain it at that location. TT&C is authorized on frequencies centered on 12201 MHz, 12203 MHz, and 12699 MHz (space-to-Earth) and on 17301.5 MHz (Earth-to-space).
  • •When Intelsat Licensee LLC replaced Intelsat 1R with Intelsat 14 at 45 degrees WL, it did not request and was not authorized to use the 10.95-11.2 GHz and 13.75-14.0 GHz frequency bands previously authorized for Intelsat 1R. As a result the FCC announced that these frequencies at 45 degrees WL are available for reassignment on a first-come, first-served basis effective 2 PM EDT on Tuesday, May 8, 2012. The FCC Report says, "At that time, applicants may file applications for new space stations, market access by non-U.S. licensed space stations, modifications to licensed space stations, or amendments to pending applications taking this announcement into account."
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.