Attachment letter

letter

SUBMISSION FOR THE RECORD submitted by EchoStar

letter

2005-05-04

This document pretains to SAT-STA-20050203-00018 for Special Temporal Authority on a Satellite Space Stations filing.

IBFS_SATSTA2005020300018_432943

STEPTOE &JOHNSON« atrorweys at taw Pancels Miclopoctos 1110 ComnecticeAvenve, M rmamone RECEIVED Washingon.Dc 200361795 prichalotitepioscom Tel 2024003000 MAY — 4 2005 Fax2024003002 sspeeson Fedeal Commnicatos Comnissn Offenot Secrdiny May 4, 2005 Via HAND DELIVERY Marlene H. Dortch Secretary Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 Re: EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. Application for Special Temporary Authority To Move EchoStar 5 to 129° W.L. and To Conduct Telemetry, Tracking and Command Operations During the Relocation to this Orbital Location. File Number: STA—STA—20050203—00018 Dear Ms. Dortch, On April 4, 2005, the Intemational Bureau requested that EchoStar Satellite L.L.C. (*EchoStar®) provide certain additional information to the Commission regarding the above—referenced application within 30 days. See Letter fom Thomas S. Tyez, Chief, Satellite Division, Intemational Bureau to Pantelis Michalopoulos, Counsel for EchoStar ("April 4 Letter®). The April 4 Letter requested that EchoStar submit by today:. (1) "the relevant arrangements in the form ofdefinitive agreements and a final TT&C Agreement" with respect to the relocation and use of EchoStar 5 at the 129° W.L. orbital location; (2) a technical assessment ofthe operability of the EchoStar 5 satellte, including any bus or payload failures that have occurred, and a discussion ofthe unused fuel reserves on the satellite,the impact ofthose failures on the consumption of fuel by the satelite, and the projected life expectancy ofthe satellit; (3) a description ofthe arrangements for disposition ofthe satelite upon termination ofthe contract, or upon any event which results in removal ofthe satelltefrom the 129° W.L. orbital location; and (4) the plan for post—mission disposal ofthe EchoStar 5 satellite. EchoStar hereby submitsitems (2) and (4) above (see Attachments A and B) and requests a short, one—week extension oftime to submit items (1) and (3). With respect to item (1), while washincton + wew york +. rmotnix + tos anorits +/ tonbon +. srusstts

STEPTOE &JOHNSON« Marlene H. Dortch May 4, 2005 Page 2 EchoStar and Ciel Satelite Communications, Inc. ("Ciel") have been diligently negotiating and EchoStar believes that the parties are close to reaching definitive arrangements regarding the relocation, use, and control of the EchoStar 5 satelite at 129° W.L.,it now appears unlikely that such an agreement will be ready for submission to the Commission by today‘s deadline, EchoStar also requests a short extension to submit item (3) (description of arrangements for disposition ofEchoStar 5) as it relates in part to the final terms of the agreement reached between EchoStar and Ciel with respect to EchoStar 5. Accordingly, EchoStar requests a short, one—week extension oftime to submit a portion of the requested information. There is good cause for the extension.‘ The parties have been diligent in negotiatingthe agreement and a one week extension will afford the parties the time needed to finalize their agreement. Moreover,no third party would be prejudiced by such a short extension as no opposition or comments have been received with respect t the above—referenced request for special temporary authority. Please contact the undersigned ifyou have any questions regarding the above. Respectfully submitted, PasgeLis Makabeparln | prex Pantelis Michalopoutos Counselfor EchoStar Satellite LLC. Ce: (by hand and electronic mail) Thomas S. Tyez, Chief, Satellite Division, Intemational Bureau Karl Kensinger, Intemational Bureau Jay Whaley, Intemational Bureau ‘ See, eg., WAIT Radio v. FCC, 415 F.2d 1153 (D.C. Cir. 1969).

Attachment A EchoStar S Spacecraft Operability Assessment L GENERAL EchoStar is a Space Systems Loral model FS1300 spacecraft launched 9/16/1999. The spacecraft is currently used as an on—orbit spare and located at the 119 W.L.orbital slot. IL BUS AND PAYLOAD ANOMALIES Solar Array String Failures The EchoStar satelite is equipped with a total of96 solar array strings, 92 ofwhich are required to assure full power availability for the 12—year design life of the satellite. To date, EchoStar S has suffered failures to 5 solar array strings, reducing solar array power to approximately 95% ofits original capacity. While currently capable of operating 32 transponders, as designed, the solar array anomalies may prevent the use of some ofthose transponders for the full 12—year design life of the satelite. Momentum Wheels Two momentum wheel anomalies previously experienced resulted in operation ofthe spacecraft in a modified earth—pointing mode utiliing thrusters to maintain spacecraf pointing. While this operating mode provides adequate earth—pointing performance, it results in both an increase in fuel usage (with corresponding reduction of spacecraftlife, and continuous operations ofe digital integrated rate assemblies (DIRAs). Current total DIRA on—times exceed those recommended by the spacecraft manufacturer Transponder Failures The EchoStar 5 satelite is equipped with 48 transponders, 16 ofwhich are used as spares for the other 32. To date, EchoStar V has had 3 transponders fuil. All filed transponders can be replaced with a spare transponder. DCU (Data Concentrator Unit) M lexer Chip Failures EchoStar 5 has experienced anomalies in a spacecraft electronic component which affects he abilityto receive telemetry from certain on—board equipment. Other methods of communication have been established toalleviate the effects of the filed component. Thruster 5A Performance Issue EchoStar 5 satellte experienced a suspected blockage in thruster 5A, which reduced the performance ofthis thruster. Thruster 5B is currently being used in place of thruster SA. HIL REMAINING MISSIONLIRE Due to the previously identified momentum wheel failures, EchoStar 5 is currently using thrusters to maintain earth—pointing in a "storage mode" at the 119 W.L. orbital slot. Analysis based on propellant bookkeeping, indicates a remaining mission life of .9 years (as of 1222/04),in "storage mode" at this location . When EchoStar is ransitioned to a mode supporting broadcast operations at 129 W.L. (@ssuming an on—station date at 129 W.L. ofJune 2005), the estimated

Attachment mission life is reduced due to ighter earth pointing requirements, but emains at about 3.years or approximately through December 2008.

EchoStar 5 Post—Mission Disposal Plan: The planned end—oflife maneuvers for the EchoStar 5 satelite consist othruster frings to achieve a 300 km increase in mean orbit altitude. This will ensure compliance with 47 C.F.R. § 25.283(a). The propellant required for the planned maneuvers has been included in all mission life estimates.


Document Created: 2005-05-10 16:17:29
Document Modified: 2005-05-10 16:17:29
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