Progress Report (March 30, 2000)

0142-EX-RR-1999 Post Grant Documents

FINAL ANALYSIS, INC.

2000-04-04ELS_34450

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                                          KELLEY DRYE & WARREN ccr
                                                  A LIMITED LIASILITY PARTNENSHO®



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MANILA, THE PHILIPPINES                               March 30, 2000
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   By HAnDp DELIVERY

   Federal Communications Commission
   Office of Engineering & Technology
   Experimental Licensing Branch
   MS 1300E1
   445 12"" Street, S.W.
   Washington, D.C. 20554

                        Re:    Final Analysis Inc., Progress Report for Experimental Little LEO
                               Satellite Program — FAISAT—2v Satellite (Call Sign KS2XCY, File
                               No. 0224—EX—RR—1999); Lanham, Maryland Ground Station (Call
                               Sign WAZXHE, File No. 0142—EX—RR—1999); Logan, Utah Ground
                               Station (Call Sign KS2XDA, File No. 0226—EX—RR—1999); and
                               Remote Terminals (Call Sign KS2XCZ, File No. 0225—EX—RR—1999)

   Dear Madam or Sir:

                        In accordance with its above—referenced authorizations, Final Analysis Inc.
   ("Final Analysis"), by its attorneys, hereby submits this progress report on its experimental non—
   voice, non—geostationary mobile satellite service ("NVNG MSS" or "Little LEO") program.

                  On September 23, 1997, Final Analysis‘s experimental Little LEO satellite,
   FAISAT—2v, was successfully launched from Russia. Since the launch of FAISAT—2v, Final
   Analysis‘s technical staff has been actively engaged in monitoring and telemetry, tracking &
   control ("TT&C") of the satellite to ensure that it enters into proper orbital operation. Final
   Analysis made initial full contact with the satellite during early orbit from its main ground
   station and control center at the company headquarters in Lanham, Maryland, and remotely
   through its ground stations in Logan, Utah and Andoya, Norway.


Experimental Licensing Branch
March 30, 2000
Page Two




               The purpose of the experimental satellite is to permit Final Analysis to conduct
multiple scans of a variety of VHF and UHF bands, including the 454—456 and 459—460 MHz
bands allocated to Little LEOs internationally at WRC—95 and WRC—97, from FAISAT—2v.
Final Analysis anticipates that these multiple scanning operations will help collect data on the
comparative levels of noise from existing operations in the observed bands and accurately
measure the feasibility of conducting Little LEO operations in these bands on a time—shared basis
with existing operations. The scans performed early in the mission provided very useful data.

                After launch of FAISAT—2v in September 1997 the initial early orbit operations of
the satellite were within normal parameters. Data were regularly downloaded during satellite
passes, although the Final Analysis staff was primarily engaged in early orbit operations, i.e.,
fine tuning of the satellite‘s orbital stability, components, and other operational parameters.
These stabilizing activities were not complete when, on October 24, 1997, the satellite entered
into its first solar eclipse and began to expend more energy than could be generated by its solar
panels given the satellite‘s orientation to the sun during eclipse. In anticipation of energy deficit
situations which might occur during normal satellite operations, the satellite command software
was originally programmed to shut the satellite down during defined energy deficit situations.
The satellite performed as programmed and shut down, preventing further ground
communication, and consequent energy drain, during the eclipse period. At the beginning of
1998 when the satellite re—entered full sun mode, the batteries recharged. Final Analysis made
limited communication contact with the satellite. However, the satellite operations could not be
improved during the full sun mode, and the satellite continues to shut down again during eclipse
periods.

               Since resuming limited satellite—ground communications, Final Analysis has
repeatedly tried to complete early orbit operations, including stabilizing the satellite‘s orbit and
fine tuning its other operational parameters. It was, and still is, Final Analysis‘s intention to
upload new software to modify the spacecraft‘s energy use during routine operations and
hopefully prevent future energy deficits during eclipse mode. However, Final Analysis has not
been able to upload the software modification. Consequently, Final Analysis has continued to
encounter operational difficulties and the satellite—ground communication is limited because
FAISAT—2v shuts down and becomes inoperable during eclipse seasons.

               Since July 6, 1999, Final Analysis has been performing operations primarily in
the 455—456 and 459—460 MHz frequency bands from the Lanham station during normal working
hours of favorable contact periods. Favorable contact periods are defined as approximately five—
week periods, occurring about every three months, when the satellite is continuously lit. During
these operations, Final Analysis sends a command at the start of a contact period to request a
downlink beacon and set the satellite radio sensitivity to increase the chances of other commands
being received. Commands are also sent to take batteries on— or off—line to charge and to try
different onboard radios. The commands are repeatedly sent throughout the pass.


Experimental Licensing Branch
March 30, 2000
Page Three




               The original and two copies of this progress report are being filed herewith. In
addition, in accordance with the conditions of Final Analysis‘s experimental authorizations, a
copy of this progress report is being filed with the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. Please
do not hesitate to call the undersigned counsel at the above—referenced number if you should
have any questions regarding this matter.



                                                 Sincerely,



                                                 Aileen A. Pisciotta
                                                 Randall W. Sifers
                                                 Counsel to Final Analysis Inc.


ce:    Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (by hand delivery)



Document Created: 2001-08-01 12:26:44
Document Modified: 2001-08-01 12:26:44

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