Directv 15 Launch

[nelson61]

nasaspaceflight forum has updated with a definitive launch date for Directv 15.

NET May 20 - DirecTV 15, SKY MEXICO-1 (SKYM-1, DIRECTV INNOVA) - Ariane 5 ECA (VA223) - Kourou ELA-3

 

[nelson61]

Things are getting down right ugly.

DIRECTV, FCC, and SES are in a cat fight at 103W

SES has been waiting for 25 months to get SES-3 authorized for KU/C band operation (a replacement satellite).

But, SES-3 also carries a BSS 17/24 payload authorized for Canada.

The Canadian 17/24 license has primary rights for the 17/24 frequency at 103W which means Directv has to coordinate with the Canadians to insure there is no Canadian interference (if possible, it would probably involve reducing the bream signal ).
Fairly clear from the correspondence that FCC is pushing hard to help Directv but also appears that the Canadians may hold the trump card.

Dig thought the correspondence (here) . Lawyers are going to do well on this one and/or the FCC will end up in court.


http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws...ts?f_key=-259948&f_number=SATAMD2013111300132


And, here is the narrative of how Dish proposes to use the Canadian license .
They would use the downlink to feed 50,000 cell towers .

http://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/download.do?attachment_key=1062148

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Wouldn't the ITU have final say?

With the apparent failure of DIRECTV 10 yesterday they can't wait and fight it out.

I am surprised there have been no filings on DIRECTV 10 yet from DIRECTV.

 

[kofi123]

This whole thing is one big mess. Besides DirecTV and SES, Ciel Satellite (which is an SES partner) and Dish Network are also involved. Ciel because they are the ones who technically hold the 17/24 GHz Canadian authorization, and Dish Network because they have a pending application to receive 17/24 GHz signals in the United States off of Ciel's authorization.

As noted, the dispute has held up the use of SES-3 at 103°W for over two years, even though that satellite has been good to go all this time. Likewise, the application to operate DirecTV 15 has also not yet been fully approved by the FCC, although this application is much newer, having been filed about six months ago. To date, SES, Ciel, and Dish Network have been urging the FCC to defer or outright deny the application to operate DirecTV 15.

Here are the filings collected so far related to DirecTV 15 application:
http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws...ts?f_key=-267682&f_number=SATLOA2014082500094

 

[gadgtfreek]

With D10 now taking an apparent dump, need to get D15 up there.

 

[nelson61]

Wouldn't the ITU have final say?

.

Yes and No. Apparently C Band and KU are just caught up in the mess and are being used for leverage. The hot button is the new BSS 17/24 transmissions that is not yet in widespread commercial service The FCC controls the US transmissions, but Canada filed first at the ITU for the slot. FCC can issue a US license to DIRECTV and deny a US license to anyone else, which is apparently what is planned. But, since the Canadians have first rights, Directv must coordinate so as to not degrade the reception of the primary (Canadian) beam. So, for example, similar to Quetzat 1 only covering the southern US so as to not interfere with the adjacent Canadian satellites, Directv 15 will have to coordinate or make peace with the Canadians so as to not affect their licensed beam.

 

[nelson61]

DIRECTV 15 FCC update:

DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC (“DIRECTV”) hereby requests Special Temporary Authority (“STA”) to locate the DIRECTV 15 satellite (call sign S2930) along with the DIRECTV RB-2 payload (call sign S2712) at the 66.8° W.L. orbital location for in-orbit testing (“IOT”) after launch of the satellite, which is currently scheduled for May 20, 2015.1 This STA will cover a period of approximately 30 days within a 60 day window, which DIRECTV requests be keyed to become effective upon the satellite’s arrival at 66.8° W.L.
DIRECTV 15 is currently at the launch site being readied for launch. DIRECTV desires to conduct IOT for approximately two weeks before moving the satellite to its licensed position to begin commercial operations. Specifically, DIRECTV contemplates the following schedule [with approximate dates indicated in brackets]:

• After launch and orbit raising maneuvers, DIRECTV 15 will be located at 66.8° W.L. [no earlier than about June 3, 2015].

• After DIRECTV 15 reaches 66.8° W.L., DIRECTV will then commence IOT of the satellite for approximately 2 weeks.2

• After IOT is completed, DIRECTV 15 will then be drifted to its assigned location at 103º W.L. (nominal) over the course of approximately 26 days [reaching that orbital position on or about July 12, 2015].

1 Note that the DIRECTV 15 satellite also carries a DBS payload for which DIRECTV has not requested operating authority but for which IOT will also be conducted at this location.
2 During the period covered by this STA, DIRECTV will use 29502.5 and 29505.9 MHz for its command uplinks and 20198.5 and 20199.55 MHz for its telemetry downlinks.

 

[mike123abc]

Interesting they do not want to use the DBS payload - it is there for an emergency backup if they had to move it to 101 or 119...

 

[Voyager6]

Has this issue been resolved?

I guess that it has. http://www.satelliteguys.us/xen/threads/ses-3-fcc-approved-ses-3-goes-live-june-7th-2015.349139/