WPC_+ 2B;J Courier X-#XP\  P6QXP#3|j 0_1HPLAS4.PRS 4x  @\oeX@26%F%K3|jTimes New RomanTimes New Roman Bold P6QXP#Times New RomanTimes New Roman Bold"i~'^09CSS999S]+9+/SSSSSSSSSS//]]]Ixnnxg]xx9?xgxx]xn]gxxxxg9/9MS9ISISI9SS//S/SSSS9?/SSxSSIP!PZ9+ZM999+99999999S/xIxIxIxIxIlnIgIgIgIgI9/9/9/9/xSxSxSxSxSxSxSxSxSxSxIxSxRxSxSxS]SxIxIxInInInZnIxigIgIgIgIxSxSxSxZxSxZxS9/9S999Su]ZZxSg/gCg9g9g/xSbxSxSxSxSxn9n9n9]?]?]?]ZgFg/gMxSxSxSxSxSxSxxZgIgIgIxSg9xS]?g9xSi+SS88WuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxN8HH"&H>XHH8HB8>HH^HH>"".2",2,2,"222N2222"&22H22,006"6."""""""""""2H,H,H,H,H,XAB,>,>,>,>,""""H2H2H2H2H2H2H2H2H2H2H,H2H1H2H2H282H,H,H,B,B,B6B,H?>,>,>,>,H2H2H2H6H2H6H2""2"""2F866H2>>(>">">H2;H2H2H2H2XHB"B"B"8&8&8&86>*>>.H2H2H2H2H2H2^HH6>,>,>,H2>"H28&>"H2?22!!WFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxN$<<$.2",2222`2 LL2 LL2L"",,2d""control (TT&C) operations and to use only the 12/14 GHz band for those purposes.X|xU yO -  zԍx In this Order and Authorization, we use the term "11/13 GHz band" to refer to the frequencies 10.711.7  xand 12.7513.25 GHz, and the term "12/14 GHz band" to refer to frequency bands 11.712.2 and 14.014.5 GHz. Both the 11/13 and 12/14 GHz bands are allocated domestically to the Fixed Satellite Service (FSS).  More  xspecifically, AMSC seeks authority to use the frequencies 11700.5 MHz, 11701.0 MHz and  x14499.5 MHz for TT&C operations during transfer orbit maneuvers, and 11700.5 MHz, 11701.0  xMHz, 14000.5 MHz and 14499.5 MHz for TT&C operations when AMSC1 reaches its proper  X -orbital location.X U yOi'-  ԍxThe transfer orbit maneuver is used to place the satellite at its onorbit location, i.e., its designated  xgeostationary orbit location, after the satellite is separated from the launch vehicle. The maneuver typically requires  xworldwide tracking facilities, since during the maneuver the satellite will be located at a wide range of positions"(0*0*0*)" above the surface of the earth. No one opposes the AMSC requests, and we grant them in this order." X0*0*0*\"Ԍ X- ` ԙx2.` ` The Commission previously authorized AMSC to use the 12/14 GHz band for  X- xTT&C operations only during AMSC1's transfer orbit maneuver.XM< yO-  ԍxSee Memorandum Opinion & Order, 8 F.C.C. Rcd 4040 (1993). The specific frequencies authorized are 12197.75 MHz, 12195.25 MHz, and 14003.5 MHz. Although TT&C operations  xare often authorized in the same bands in which the licensee operates its gateway service, which  X- xin this case would be the 11/13 GHz bands,M< yO -  ԍxThese bands are the authorized "feeder link" bands for AMSC1. Feeder links are radio links between an  xearth station at a fixed location and a satellite, and are used in an MSS system to connect one mobile terminal with  xanother, and to connect the system to terrestrial communication networks. They are distinct from AMSC's "service  xYlinks," which are the radio links between the satellite and either mobile earth terminals or aeronautical mobile earth terminals. AMSC1's service links are at 15451559/1646.51660.5 MHz. we granted AMSC's earlier request after observing  xthat there are no worldwide TT&C facilities that operate in the 11/13 GHz band. AMSC now  xseeks an amendment to its earlier authorization to use slightly different frequencies in the 12/14  Xv- x[GHz bands for TT&C operations during the transfer orbit maneuver, viz., 11700.5 MHz, 11701.0  xzMHz, and 14499.5 MHz. AMSC also seeks authority to conduct TT&C operations on these  XH-frequencies and on 14000.5 MHz when AMSC1 reaches its proper orbital onstation location.UXH` M< yOY-  ԍxAMSC was granted a waiver of Section 319(d) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C.  yO!- xx 319(d), to construct the AMSC1 satellite at its own risk in conformance with this request. See Order, 23DSSMISC92 (May 27, 1993). U  X - ` x3.` ` AMSC states that a grant of its request will allow it to consolidate both its transfer  x>orbit maneuver and onorbit TT&C operations in the 12/14 GHz band, thereby reducing the  xduplication of the TT&C packages aboard the spacecraft, which would reduce the weight of the  xsatellite. This allows more stationkeeping fuel to be loaded aboard the satellite, and thereby  X - xincreases the satellite's life. M< yO-ԍxStationkeeping fuel is used to maintain or adjust the position of a satellite in its orbit. In addition, AMSC asserts, it will realize substantial savings in the  xsatellite's construction costs. Further, AMSC notes that it would have the option of leasing  x-ground segment TT&C services from an established domestic fixed satellite operator that already  x<is providing such services in the 12/14 GHz bands, thereby potentially further reducing its overall  x{system costs. AMSC adds that its TT&C operations at 12/14 GHZ will cause no harmful  xinterference to any existing satellite operations. In particular, AMSC states that GTE Spacenet,  xwhich currently operates a satellite at 101 degrees W.L., the orbital location from which AMSC1  xjwould operate, "has indicated th[is] [AMSC1] modification will not cause harmful interference  x<to its current satellite operations. Furthermore, AMSC and GTE Spacenet have an understanding  X-that they will attempt to resolve any future problems in that regard." Application at 56.M< yO$-  ԍxSubsequently, control of GTE Spacenet was transferred from GTE Corporation to GE American  yOx%-Communications, Inc. See Contel Corporation, 9 F.C.C. Rcd 5775 (1994).  X- ` x4.` ` AMSC also submits that any future satellites authorized to operate in the 12/14"h0*(("  xGHz band are unlikely to be affected by AMSC1's operations, even if the future satellite were  xlocated at 101 degrees W.L. AMSC submits a technical analysis examining whether any of the  xzcurrently deployed domestic FSS satellites, if moved to 101 degrees W.L., would potentially  x/receive interference from AMSC1's proposed operations. AMSC concludes that only one  xsatellite, SBS5, might possibly be adversely affected, and that it is unlikely that SBS5 will ever  X- xbe relocated to 101 degrees W.L.. M< yO-  ԍxSBS5 is licensed to Hughes Communications Galaxy, Inc., and is operating at 123 degrees W.L. AMSC  xstates that it is unlikely SBS5 will ever be relocated to 101 degrees W.L. because SBS5 is not a hybrid satellite,  xKand 101 degrees W.L. is assigned by the Commission for use by hybrid satellites, which normally operate in both  x.Cband (4/6 GHz) and Kuband (12/14 GHz). AMSC concludes, therefore, that its "use of 12/14 GHz . . . is consistent with the Commission's policy of promoting fungibility in orbital locations." Application at 4.  AMSC also states that if a future assignee of the 101 degree  xW.L. orbital location receives unacceptable interference from AMSC1, AMSC could relocate to  xeither 100 or 102 degrees W.L. Moreover, AMSC adds, all extant domsats could be located at  x99, 101,or 103 degrees W.L. without receiving or causing interference from or to AMSC1 located at either 100 or 102 degrees W.L.  X - ` x5.` ` AMSC also notes that it is increasingly common to use hybrid domestic fixed  xsatellites which operate in both the 4/6 GHz and 12/14 GHz bands, and generally conduct TT&C  xonly within the 4/6 GHz band. AMSC states that a continuation of this trend will leave the  xzedges of the 12/14 GHz band, where it proposes to locate its TT&C operations, increasingly  xunused. This, AMSC concludes, adds further to the spectrum efficiency of its proposal and helps  X-assure that the requested authorization will not interfere with future 12/14 GHz band service.  Xb- ` _x6.` ` With respect to its request for revised frequencies to use during the transfer orbit  xzmaneuver, AMSC states that it will coordinate with other satellite operators as necessary to  x.prevent harmful interference to their systems. Further, thirty days prior to launch of AMSC1,  xAMSC states that it will notify operators of the satellites that AMSC1 will pass during the five xday transfer orbit phase. It will also advise operators that AMSC1 and its ground facilities will not radiate when the satellite is within one degree of another satellite.  X- ` _x7.` ` We grant AMSC's requests. By consolidating TT&C operations in the 12/14 GHz  xband, AMSC will eliminate the need for 11/13 GHz TT&C equipment, and will be able to lease  xground segment TT&C functions from existing operators. These benefits will be reflected in  xilower costs to customers. Furthermore, AMSC has demonstrated that grant of its proposal would  xnot result in interference to current fixed satellite service operations in the 12/14 GHz band, as  xevidenced by its agreement with GTE Spacenet. Consequently, we find that a grant of AMSC's  xrequest will serve the public interest pursuant to Sections 309 and 319 of the Communications  xAct of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C.  309 and 319. However, we are concerned that AMSC's  xuse of the 12/14 GHz bands for TT&C could affect future fixed satellite service operations at the  X- x{101o W.L. orbital location. Therefore, we condition grant of this authorization on AMSC  xMcoordinating its TT&C operations with any 12/14 GHz satellite authorized to occupy orbital  xlocation 101 degrees W.L., and with the understanding that we will require AMSC to relocate  xAMSC1 if AMSC is unsuccessful in completing coordination with these other U.S. satellite"!x 0*(( " licensees.  X- Ordering Clauses T  X- ` BTPx8.` ` Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 0.261 on delegation of  xzauthority, 47 C.F.R.  0.261, application File Nos. 3DSSAMEND93 and 4DSSAMEND95  x\ARE GRANTED, and AMSC is permitted to use the frequencies 11700.5 MHz, 11701.0 MHz  xand 14499.5 MHz during its transfer orbit maneuvers. AMSC is also permitted to use the  x@frequencies 11700.5 MHz, 11701.0 MHz, 14000.5 MHz and 14499.5 MHz for telemetry,  xtracking, and control functions from its proper onstation orbital location, 101 degrees, W.L.,  xprovided that AMSC successfully coordinates its TT&C operations with licensees of satellites  x.at 101 degrees W.L. operating in the 12/14 GHz bands. If a coordination agreement cannot be reached, AMSC1 will be required to relocate to another orbital location. x` `  hh@FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION x` `  hh@Scott Blake Harris x` `  hh@Chief, International Bureau