Attachment Engineering

This document pretains to SAT-LOA-20170524-00078 for Application to Launch and Operate on a Satellite Space Stations filing.

IBFS_SATLOA2017052400078_1231028

Engineering Statement
1   Introduction
Intelsat License LLC (“Intelsat”) seeks authority in this application to launch and operate
the Galaxy 15R satellite at the 133.0° W.L. orbital location. Galaxy 15R will replace
Galaxy 15, currently operating at 133.0° W.L. The characteristics of the Galaxy 15R
spacecraft, as well as its compliance with the various provisions of Part 25 of the Federal
Communication Commission’s (“FCC or “Commission”) rules, are provided in the
remainder of this Engineering Statement.

2   Spacecraft Overview
Galaxy 15R is a Boeing model 702MP spacecraft that is capable of operating in the C-
band and Ku-band frequencies listed in the table below.


                       Direction                      Frequency
                                                  5925–6425 MHz
                        Uplink
                                                13750–14500 MHz
                                                  3700–4200 MHz
                       Downlink                 10950–11200 MHz
                                                11450–12200 MHz

The spacecraft provides the following coverage:

         Frequency Beam               Coverage
           band
         C-Band        Wide Beam United States including Alaska and Hawaii
         Ku-Band       K1–K57         United States including Alaska and Hawaii



2.1 Spacecraft Characteristics
Galaxy 15R is a three-axis stabilized type spacecraft that has a rectangular outer body
structure. Galaxy 15R utilizes two deployable solar array wings and a number of
deployable and non-deployable antennas.

The Galaxy 15R spacecraft is composed of the following subsystems:

    1) Thermal
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   2)   Power
   3)   Attitude Control
   4)   Propulsion
   5)   Telemetry, Command and Ranging (“TC&R”)
   6)   Uplink Power Control (“ULPC”)
   7)   Communications

These subsystems maintain the correct position and attitude of the spacecraft, ensure that
all internal units are maintained within the required temperature range, and ensure that
the spacecraft can be commanded and controlled with a high level of reliability from
launch to the end of its useful life. The spacecraft design incorporates redundancy in
each of the various subsystems in order to avoid single point failures.

The structural design of Galaxy 15R provides mechanical support for all subsystems.
The structure supports the communication antennas, solar arrays, and the thrusters. It
also provides a stable platform for preserving the alignment of critical elements of the
spacecraft.

2.2 Communication Subsystem
Galaxy 15R provides active communication channels at C-band and Ku-band
frequencies. The C-band payload employs channels with bandwidths of 36 MHz. The
Ku-band payload employs channels having bandwidths of 36 MHz, 72 MHz, and 84
MHz. The Galaxy 15R frequency and polarization plan is provided in Schedule S.

Galaxy 15R utilizes a combination of wide-beam and multiple spot-beam architecture. A
wide beam covers the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii operates in C-band. In
Ku-band, there are 57 identical spot beams that collectively cover the United States,
including Alaska and Hawaii. The coverage contours and performance characteristics for
a single representative Ku-band spot beam is provided in Schedule S. The latitude and
longitude of each Ku-band spot beam’s maximum gain point on the Earth are provided in
Exhibit 1 in conformance with Section 25.114(c)(4)(vii)(B) of the Commission’s rules.
Additionally, in Exhibit 2, Intelsat has included the Schedule S beam designation for all
beams.

The performance characteristics of all Galaxy 15R beams are provided in Schedule S.
The coverage contours of all Galaxy 15R beams, except for those with their -8.0 dB
contour extending beyond the edge of the Earth, are provided with Schedule S.

Exhibits 3 and 4 provide the beam parameters for the Galaxy 15R uplink and downlink
beams, respectively.

All C-band and Ku-band communication subsystems are inter-connected, which allows
for any frequency combination for the uplink and downlink connectivity at sub-beam
level. Additionally, a beam can have multiple connections to several other beams by
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splitting the channels into sub-channels with variable sizes. The expected dominant
application for Galaxy 15R will be comprised of hub and spoke networks wherein one
earth station serves as the hub or gateway for a number of other earth stations. The earth
stations’ predominant communication links will be with the hub. All Galaxy 15R beams
can be used for both gateway and service links.1

2.3 Telemetry, Command and Ranging Subsystem
The TC&R subsystem provides the following functions:

      1) Acquisition, processing and transmission of spacecraft telemetry data;

      2) Reception and retransmission of ground station generated ranging signals; and

      3) Reception, processing and distribution of telecommands.

The Galaxy 15R command and telemetry subsystem performance is summarized in
Exhibit 5 and in Schedule S. The beams used for orbital maneuvers and on-station
emergencies as well as the on-station beams have gain contours that vary by less than 8
dB across the surface of the Earth, and accordingly the gain at 8 dB below the peak falls
beyond the edge of the Earth. Therefore, pursuant to Section 25.114(c)(4)(vi)(A) of the
Commission’s rules, contours for these beams are not required to be provided and the
associated GXT files have not been included in Schedule S.

2.4 Uplink Power Control Subsystem
Galaxy 15R utilizes one C-band channel and one Ku-band channel for ULPC, antenna
tracking, and ranging.

The coverage patterns of the ULPC beams have gain contours that vary by less than 8 dB
across the surface of the Earth, and accordingly the gain at 8 dB below the peak falls
beyond the edge of the Earth. Therefore, pursuant to Section 25.114(c)(4)(vi)(A) of the
Commission’s rules, contours for these beams are not required to be provided and the
associated GXT files have not been included in Schedule S. The Galaxy 15R ULPC
subsystem performance is summarized in Exhibit 5.

2.5 Satellite Station-Keeping
The spacecraft will be maintained within 0.05° of its nominal longitudinal position in the
east-west direction. Accordingly, it will comply with Section 25.210(j) of the
Commission’s rules.

The attitude of the spacecraft will be maintained with accuracy consistent with the
achievement of the specified communications performance, after taking into account all


1
    Use of the band 27500 MHz-28350 MHz by earth stations will be subject to Section 25.136.

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error sources (i.e., attitude perturbations, thermal distortions, misalignments, orbital
tolerances, and thruster perturbations, etc.).

3   Services
Galaxy 15R will be a general purpose communications satellite and has been designed to
support various services offered within Intelsat’s satellite system. Depending upon the
needs of the users, the transponders on Galaxy 15R can accommodate television, radio,
voice, and data communications. Typical communication services include:

    a) Compressed digital video

    b) High speed digital data

    c) Digital single channel per carrier (“SCPC”) data channels

4   Power Flux Density (“PFD”)
The power flux density (“PFD”) limits for space stations operating in the 3700–4200
MHz, 10950–11200 MHz, 11450–11700 MHz, and 11700–12200 MHz are specified in
Section 25.208 of the Commission’s rules.

The maximum PFD levels for the Galaxy 15R transmissions were calculated for the
bands 3700–4200 MHz, 10850–11700 MHz, and 12200–12750 MHz. The results are
provided in Schedule S and show that the downlink PFD levels of the Galaxy 15R
carriers do not exceed the limits specified in Sections 25.208 and 25.138 of the
Commission’s rules.

5   Emission Compliance
Section 25.202(e) of the Commission’s rules requires that the carrier frequency of each
space station transmitter be maintained within 0.002% of the reference frequency.
Galaxy 15R is designed to be compliant with the provisions of this rule.

Intelsat will comply with the provisions of Section 25.202(f) of the Commission’s rules
with regard to Galaxy 15R emissions.

6   Orbital Location
Intelsat requests that it be assigned the 133.0° W.L. orbital location for Galaxy 15R. The
133.0° W.L. location satisfies Galaxy 15R’s requirements for optimizing coverage,
elevation angles, and service availability. Additionally, the location also ensures that the
maximum operational, economic, and public interest benefits will be derived.

7   ITU Filings
Galaxy 15R’s operations in the 3700–4200 MHz, 5925–6425 MHz bands have been
coordinated under the Administration of the United States’ International
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Telecommunication Union (“ITU”) filing USASAT-22A, USASAT-35Y, and USASAT-
50B.

For the operation of Galaxy 15R in the frequencies 13750–14500 MHz, 10950–11200
MHz, and 11450–12200 MHz bands, Intelsat will be submitting as part of this
application the corresponding Appendix 4 information for the new satellite network to be
forwarded by the FCC to the ITU.
8   Coordination Statement and Certifications
The downlink EIRP density of Galaxy 15R’s transmissions in the conventional C-band
will not exceed 3 dBW/4kHz for digital transmissions or 8 dBW/4kHz for analog
transmissions, and associated uplink transmissions will not exceed applicable EIRP
density envelopes in Sections 25.218 or 25.221(a)(1) unless the non-routine uplink and/or
downlink operation is coordinated with operators of authorized co-frequency space
stations at assigned locations within six degrees of Galaxy 15R at 133.0° W.L.

The downlink EIRP density of Galaxy 15R’s transmissions in the conventional and
extended Ku-band will not exceed 14 dBW/4kHz for digital transmissions or 17
dBW/4kHz for analog transmissions, and associated uplink transmissions will not exceed
applicable EIRP density envelopes in Sections 25.218, 25.222(a)(1), 25.226(a)(1), or
25.227(a)(1) unless the non-routine uplink and/or downlink operation is coordinated with
operators of authorized co-frequency space stations at assigned locations within six
degrees of Galaxy 15R at 133.0° W.L.

9   Orbital Debris Mitigation Plan
Intelsat is proactive in ensuring safe operation and disposal of this and all spacecraft
under its control. The four elements of debris mitigation are addressed below.

9.1 Spacecraft Hardware Design
The spacecraft is designed such that no debris will be released during normal operations.
Intelsat has assessed the probability of collision with meteoroids and other small debris
(<1 cm diameter) and has taken the following steps to limit the effects of such collisions:
(1) critical spacecraft components are located inside the protective body of the spacecraft
and properly shielded; and (2) all spacecraft subsystems have redundant components to
ensure no single-point failures. The spacecraft does not use any subsystems for end-of-
life disposal that are not used for normal operations.

9.2 Minimizing Accidental Explosions
Intelsat has assessed the probability of accidental explosions during and after completion
of mission operations. The spacecraft is designed in a manner to minimize the potential
for such explosions. Propellant tanks and thrusters are isolated using redundant valves
and electrical power systems are shielded in accordance with standard industry practices.
At the completion of the mission and upon disposal of the spacecraft, Intelsat will ensure
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the removal of all stored energy on the spacecraft by depleting all propellant tanks,
venting all pressurized systems and by leaving the batteries in a permanent discharge
state.

9.3 Safe Flight Profiles
Intelsat has assessed and limited the probability of the space station becoming a source of
debris as a result of collisions with large debris or other operational space stations. With
the potential exception of co-location during a traffic transition period, Galaxy 15R will
not be located at the same orbital location as another satellite or at an orbital location that
has an overlapping station keeping volume with another satellite.

Galaxy 15R will replace Galaxy 15 at 133.0° W.L. These satellites may be nominally
collocated during transfer of traffic and Intelsat will ensure that sufficient spatial
separation is achieved between these two satellites through the use of orbit eccentricity
and inclination offsets and thus minimize the risk of collision. Intelsat is not aware of
any other FCC licensed system, or any other system applied for and under consideration
by the FCC, having an overlapping station-keeping volume with Galaxy 15R. Intelsat is
also not aware of any system with an overlapping station-keeping volume with Galaxy
15R that is the subject of an ITU filing and that is either in orbit or progressing towards
launch.

9.4 Post Mission Disposal
At the end of the mission, Intelsat will dispose of the spacecraft by moving it to an
altitude of at least 280 kilometers above the geostationary arc. Intelsat has reserved 2.0
kilograms of xenon for that purpose.

In calculating the disposal orbit, Intelsat has used simplifying assumptions as permitted
under the Commission’s Orbital Debris Report and Order.2 The effective area to mass
ratio (Cr*A/M) of the Galaxy 15R spacecraft is 0.045 m2/kg, resulting in a minimum
perigee disposal altitude under the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee
formula of 280 kilometers above the geostationary arc. Accordingly, the Galaxy 15R
planned disposal orbit complies with the FCC’s rules.

The reserved fuel figure was determined by the spacecraft manufacturer and provided for
in the propellant budget. This figure was calculated taking into account the expected
mass of the satellite at the end of life and the required delta-velocity to achieve the
desired orbit. The fuel gauging uncertainty has been taken into account in these
calculations.

10 TC&R Control Earth Stations


2
    Mitigation of Orbital Debris, Second Report and Order, 19 FCC Rcd 11567 (2004).

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Intelsat will conduct TC&R operations through one or more of the following earth
stations: Napa, CA, Hagerstown, MD, and Ellenwood, GA. Additionally, Intelsat is
capable of remotely controlling Galaxy 15R from its facilities in McLean, VA or Long
Beach, CA.




                                     Page 7 of 13


Certification Statement

I hereby certify that I am a technically qualified person and am familiar with Part 25 of
the Commission’s rules. The contents of this engineering statement were prepared by me
or under my direct supervision and to the best of my knowledge are complete and
accurate.



      /s/ Alexander Gerdenitsch                              May 24, 2017

       Alexander Gerdenitsch                                      Date
               Intelsat
      Manager, Spectrum Policy,
             Americas




                                      Page 8 of 13


                  EXHIBIT 1
  Ku-band SPOT BEAM BORESIGHT LOCATIONS

  Beam           Latitude   Longitude     Beam           Latitude   Longitude
Designation        (°N)         (°E)    Designation        (°N)         (°E)
              Ku-band Beams                           Ku-band Beams
   K1             19.31       -68.32        K30            47.7       -82.63
   K2             18.63       -82.34        K31           46.42       -95.95
   K3             24.27       -71.48        K32           45.66      -105.85
   K4              23.5       -84.59        K33           45.18       -114.3
   K5             23.03       -93.67        K34           44.88      -122.03
   K6             29.55       -72.89        K35           44.74      -129.38
   K7             28.63       -86.08        K36           59.06       -59.98
   K8             28.07       -95.29        K37           55.25        -91.6
   K9             27.69      -102.91        K38           54.01      -104.72
   K10             27.4      -109.65        K39           53.32      -115.06
   K11             27.2      -115.86        K40           52.95      -124.26
   K12            27.07      -121.74        K41           52.84        -133
   K13            35.34       -72.37        K42           52.95      -141.74
   K14            34.17       -86.71        K43           53.32      -150.94
   K15            33.49        -96.4        K44           54.01      -161.28
   K16            33.03      -104.36        K45           55.25       -174.4
   K17             32.7       -111.4        K46           64.65      -139.32
   K18            32.47      -117.89        K47           65.33       -152.9
   K19            32.33      -124.05        K48           67.22      -171.38
   K20            32.26      -130.03        K49           24.29      -153.21
   K21             42.1       -67.93        K50           27.07      -144.26
   K22            40.36       -86.04        K51            27.2      -150.14
   K23            39.48       -96.81        K52           32.26      -135.97
   K24            38.91      -105.43        K53           32.33      -141.95
   K25            38.52      -112.98        K54           32.47      -148.11
   K26            38.27      -119.93        K55           38.12      -139.46
   K27            38.12      -126.54        K56           38.27      -146.07
   K28            38.07        -133         K57           21.32      -156.83
   K29            49.59       -56.41




                                 Page 9 of 13


                                 EXHIBIT 2
                    Beam Polarizations and GXT File Names

                                            Schedule S Beam GXT File Names
                              Linear Polarization                    Circular Polarization
    Beam
  Description       Uplink     Uplink Downlink Downlink Uplink               Uplink Downlink Downlink
                   (H-Pol.)   (V-Pol.) (H-Pol.) (V-Pol.) (LHCP)             (RHCP) (LHCP) (RHCP)
                                          C-Band Beams
 United States      CAHU       CAVU     CAHD     CAVD      ----               ----       ----        ----
    ULPC1            ----       ----   CLHD*      ----     ----               ----       ----        ----
   Telemetry
                      ----       ----     TGHD*        ----        ----       ----       ----        ----
    Global
   Command
                      ----     CMD*         ----       ----        ----       ----       ----        ----
    Global
Telemetry Pipe        ----       ----       ----       ----      ----         ----     TPLD*         ----
Telemetry Hemi        ----       ----       ----       ----      ----         ----     THLD*         ----
Command Pipe          ----       ----       ----       ----     CPLU*         ----      ----         ----
Command Hemi          ----       ----       ----       ----     CHLU*         ----      ----         ----

                                            Ku-Band Beams
                                          KSHD    KSVD
  Spot K1-K57       KSHU       KSVU                                ----       ----       ----        ----
                                          KSHE    KSVE
     ULPC2            ----       ----      ----     ----           ----       ----       ----     KLRD*


* GXT files are not provided for the indicated beams because their -8 dB gain contours extend beyond the edge
of the Earth.




                                              Page 10 of 13


                                         EXHIBIT 3

        COMMUNICATION SUBSYSTEM UPLINK BEAM
                   PARAMETERS
                                                       Ku-Band          Ku-Band
Beam Name                 C-Band Wide    C-Band Wide
                                                        Spot             Spot
Schedule S Beam ID          CAHU           CAVU         KSHU             KSVU
Frequency Band (MHz)             5927.0-6403.0               13754.0-14482.0
Polarization               Horizontal      Vertical    Horizontal       Vertical
G/T (dB/K)                    4.8            4.8           18.1           18.1
Minimum   SFD--(dBW/m2)     -106.1          -106.1      -100.9           -100.9
Maximum   SFD--(dBW/m2)      -78.1          -78.1        -75.9           -75.9




                                           Page 11 of 13


                                        EXHIBIT 4

 COMMUNICATION SUBSYSTEM DOWNLINK BEAM PARAMETERS

Beam Name                C-Band Spot   C-Band Spot
Schedule S Beam ID         CAHD           CAVD
Frequency Band (MHz)           3702.0-4178.0
Polarization             Horizontal      Vertical
Maximum Beam Peak EIRP
                            49.5           49.5
(dBW)
Maximum Beam Peak EIRP
                             6.1           6.1
Density (dBW/4kHz)
Maximum Beam Peak EIRP
                            -29.9         -29.9
Density (dBW/Hz)


                          Ku-Band        Ku-Band     Ku-Band         Ku-Band
Beam Name
                           Spot           Spot        Spot            Spot
Schedule S Beam ID         KSHD           KSVD          KSHE          KSVE
Frequency Band (MHz)          10950.0-11198.0             11454.0-12194.0
Polarization             Horizontal      Vertical    Horizontal      Vertical
Maximum Beam Peak EIRP
                            62.0           62.0         62.0           62.0
(dBW)
Maximum Beam Peak EIRP
                            20.4           20.4         20.0           20.0
Density (dBW/4kHz)
Maximum Beam Peak EIRP
                            -15.6         -15.6         -15.6         -15.6
Density (dBW/Hz)




                                        Page 12 of 13


                                    EXHIBIT 5
                         TC&R SUBSYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS

                                         Command               Command          Command
Beam Name
                                          Global                 Pipe             Hemi
Schedule S Beam ID                             CMD                  CPLU         CHLU
Center Frequencies (MHz)                      6424.5               6424.5        5926.75
Command Carrier Bandwidth (MHz)                 1.0                  1.0           1.0
Polarization                                  Vertical              LHCP         LHCP
Peak Flux Density at Command
                                                -90                  -80           -80
Threshold (dBW/m2-Hz)



                                   Telemetry                 Telemetry            Telemetry
 Beam Name
                                    Global                      Pipe               Bicone
 Schedule S Beam ID                 TGHD                       TPLD                 THLD
                                4197.75, 4198.25,         4197.75, 4198.25,    4197.75, 4198.25,
 Frequencies (MHz)
                               4198.75, & 4199.25        4198.75, & 4199.25   4198.75, & 4199.25
 Polarization                      Horizontal                  LHCP                 LHCP
 Maximum Channel EIRP
                                      13.7                        15.4               11.9
 (dBW)
 Maximum Beam Peak
                                      -7.3                        -5.6               -9.1
 EIRP Density (dBW/4kHz)

 Maximum Beam Peak
                                     -43.3                     -41.6                -45.1
 EIRP Density (dBW/Hz)



                                                          Ku-band
 Beam Name                        C-band Global
                                                           Global
 Schedule S Beam ID                   CLHD                 KLRD

 Frequencies (MHz)                   4199.75               11451.0

 Polarization                       Horizontal             RHCP
 Maximum Channel EIRP
                                        6.2                  11
 (dBW)

 Maximum Beam Peak EIRP
                                       -1.8                  3.0
 Density (dBW/4kHz)

 Maximum Beam Peak EIRP
                                       -37.8                -33.0
 Density (dBW/Hz)



      Note: RHCP: Right Hand Circular Polarization, LHCP: Left Hand Circular Polarization




                                                       Page 13 of 13



Document Created: 2017-05-24 17:31:30
Document Modified: 2017-05-24 17:31:30

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