Echostar 14 update

[mike123abc]

The current filing is that E7 will become an in orbit spare. E7 can work at 119 or 110. So, if needed they could get it to 110.

Dish has said this about a lot of satellites in the past only to bring them back to service somewhere else.

E14 has about 2.5X the spot capacity that E7 had. Since a transponder does not have to be any different for HD verses SD, they can mix and match what they add for LiL on the spot beams. They could decide to add more SD markets, or HD markets.

 

[nelson61]

FCC issued license today.

FCC INTERNATIONAL BUREAU

No apparant restrictions.

 

[Bradtothebone]

FCC issued license today.

FCC INTERNATIONAL BUREAU

No apparant restrictions.

Sorry, Spectrum 5!

 

[whatchel1]

screw em

Sorry, Spectrum 5!

vapor ware sat. so screw them.

 

[kstuart]

FCC issued license today.

FCC INTERNATIONAL BUREAU

No apparant restrictions.

The license is solely for testing at 138 and moving to 119.

Launching and operating at 119 are covered in a different license.

PS My use of the word "rumor" was due to the fact that I missed any official Dish statement that they were going to take E*7 out of operation (as opposed to it simply looking very likely that they would do so).

 

[nelson61]

The license is solely for testing at 138 and moving to 119.

Launching and operating at 119 are covered in a different license.

Correct, and as noted by the Bureau, the launch portion of previous apps is now moot since launch has been approved.

 

[Lt Disher]

The license is solely for testing at 138 and moving to 119.

Launching and operating at 119 are covered in a different license.

Correct, and as noted by the Bureau, the launch portion of previous apps is now moot since launch has been approved.

Just to clarify then, are there still possible issues with Spectrum 5?

 

[nelson61]

Just to clarify then, are there still possible issues with Spectrum 5?

Could be, but typically the Bureau covers this by putting in a clause that requires immediate stop of active interference with satellites having priority rights. And, if the other satellite is not operating (or does not exist), by definition, there is no interference.

 

[nelson61]

The license is solely for testing at 138 and moving to 119.

Launching and operating at 119 are covered in a different license.

PS My use of the word "rumor" was due to the fact that I missed any official Dish statement that they were going to take E*7 out of operation (as opposed to it simply looking very likely that they would do so).

I was in error in agreeing earlier.

Permission has been given for both launch and operation at 119W (buried in the attachments). The only delay regards those beams where Echostar submitted modified data in their MOD application. Spectrum Five issue is also addressed.

http://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/download.do?attachment_key=805463

 

[navychop]

Nice comments regarding S5 in that doc. I think they restrained themselves from calling S5's two proposed sats "vapor-sats" - but they must have had that in mind.

 

[mike123abc]

Is it just me or did the FCC just say that Dish did not need to worry about S5 and if S5 ever got around to launching a satellite, the FCC would just say sorry it is an US operator in an US slot, deal with it S5?

11. Adopting Spectrum Five's proposed conditions would impose unnecessary constraints on EchoStar 14's operations. While the commission is committed to its international coordination responsibilities, coordination with other administrations is not a prerequisite to grant of U.S. DBS space station licenses to U.S. operators, particularly for networks that are not yet operational.

12. For similar reasons, we also conclude that the condition proffered by DISH is inappropriate, as it may unduly constrain operations based on the plan modification proposals for which agreement has not been reached. Accordingly as to our standard practice, we condition EchoStar 14's authorization consistent with Section 21.111(c) our rules

 

[nelson61]

Is it just me or did the FCC just say that Dish did not need to worry about S5 and if S5 ever got around to launching a satellite, the FCC would just say sorry it is an US operator in an US slot, deal with it S5?

It was different than I expected. They rejected Spectrum's position and also rejected Dish's offer to accept restrictions.

The ITU slots are assigned to governments, not companies and the FCC said " wait a minute, we are not going to do anything that would reduce US slot spectrum rights. If someone launches a priority satellite in the future, we will address the issue at that time".

 

[nelson61]

Countdown Clock Activated

International Launch Services


Launch Time:
00:27 Baikonur
18:27 GMT, March 20
14:27 EDT, March 20

They state this will be the heaviest commercial satellite lifted by the Proton (6384 Kg)

 

[digiblur]

Looks like they expect it there around May 3rd.

DISH Operating L.L.C. requests special temporary authority for a period of 180 days, commencing May 3, 2010, to relocate the EchoStar 7 space
station from 118.9° W.L. to 118.8° W.L. DISH seeks to continue to operate the Direct Broadcast Satellite communications payload aboard the
EchoStar 7 space station during the relocation.

 

[nelson61]

Looks like they expect it there around May 3rd.

DISH Operating L.L.C. requests special temporary authority for a period of 180 days, commencing May 3, 2010, to relocate the EchoStar 7 space
station from 118.9° W.L. to 118.8° W.L. DISH seeks to continue to operate the Direct Broadcast Satellite communications payload aboard the
EchoStar 7 space station during the relocation.

"Testing is expected to take approximately 30 days, after which DISH will move EchoStar 14 to 118.9° W.L."

Say 10 days from launch to arrive at test slot or around April 1. Testing complete around May 1. Another 30 days to move to 119W would put it in service sometime in June.

 

[HDRoberts]

Testing is expected to take approximately 30 days, after which DISH will move EchoStar 14 to 118.9° W.L."

Say 10 days from launch to arrive at test slot or around April 1. Testing complete around May 1. Another 30 days to move to 119W would put it in service sometime in June.

It's only moving 19 degrees. I'd think they could move it in 10-15 days.

 

[rocatman]

It's only moving 19 degrees. I'd think they could move it in 10-15 days.

E-14 also has a huge amount of fuel on it so using a little extra to move it to get it into service faster should not be a problem.

 

[digiblur]

It's only moving 19 degrees. I'd think they could move it in 10-15 days.

To move yes. But I'm sure there's another round of tests once it arrives at 119.

 

[nelson61]

It's only moving 19 degrees. I'd think they could move it in 10-15 days.

But, if E7 is working well why use extra fuel and shorten the life?

 

[digiblur]

Some tidbits from a birdie.... they are expecting to do CONUS and Spot transfers from E7 to E14 in May. No date is specified yet, but I'm expecting they mean late May.

It also looks like E14 QPSK transponders will be run with an FEC of 7/8 instead of 5/6 due to the increased power.

The move of CONUS traffic in preparation for E14 has been delayed until 3/24. This was the move of the video on transponders 2 and 4.