Attachment STA Request

This document pretains to SES-STA-20140212-00068 for Special Temporal Authority on a Satellite Earth Station filing.

IBFS_SESSTA2014021200068_1035269

February 12, 2014 Ms. Marlene H. Dortch Secretary Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 Re: Request for Special Temporary Authority Hagerstown, Maryland Earth Station KA258 Dear Ms. Dortch: Intelsat License LLC (“Intelsat”) herein requests a grant of Special Temporary Authority (“STA”)1 for 30 days, commencing March 13, 2014, to use its Hagerstown, Maryland Ku-band earth station -- call sign KA258 -- to provide launch and early orbit phase (“LEOP”) services for the Astra-5B satellite that is now expected to be launched on March 13, 2014.2 The LEOP period is expected to last approximately ten days.3 The Astra-5B satellite was initially expected to launch on December 6, 2013. The Commission previously granted STA to Intelsat for Astra-5B LEOP operations, which initial grant expired on January 5, 2014.4 The Astra-5B LEOP operations will be performed in the following frequency bands: 17308.0 MHz and 18091.5 in the uplink (CP), and 11709.5 MHz and 12490.0 MHz in the downlink (CP). The LEOP operations will be coordinated with all operators of satellites that use the same frequency bands and are in the LEOP path.5 All operators of satellites in that path will be provided with an emergency phone number where the licensee can be reached in the event that harmful interference occurs. 1 Intelsat has filed its STA request, an FCC Form 159, a $180.00 filing fee and this supporting letter electronically via the International Bureau’s Filing System (“IBFS”). 2 The permanent orbital location for Astra-5B, which Intelsat understands is licensed by Luxembourg, will be 31.5° E.L. The in-orbit testing location will be 43.5° E.L. 3 Intelsat is seeking authority for 30 days to accommodate possible further launch delays. 4 See Satellite Communications Services Information; Actions Taken, Report No. SES-01601, File No. SES-STA-20131105-00938 (Nov. 27, 2013) (Public Notice). 5 EADS Astrium (“Astrium”), the manager of the Astra-5B LEOP mission, will handle the coordination.

Ms. Marlene H. Dortch February 12, 2014 Page 2 The 24x7 contact information for the Astra—5B LEOP mission is as follows: Ph.: (202) 944—7701 — East Coast Operations Center (primary) (310) 525—5900 — West Coast Operations Center (back—up) Request to speak with Harry Burnham or Kevin Bell. In addition, Intelsat attaches Exhibits A and B, which contain a waiver request as well as technical information indicating that the operation of the earth station will be compatible with its electromagnetic environment and will not cause harmful interference into any lawfully operating terrestrial or government facility. In the extremely unlikely event that harmfulinterference should occur due to transmissions to or from its earth station, Intelsat will take all reasonable steps to eliminate the interference. Intelsat also notes that for purposes of the Astra—5B LEOP mission, it is seeking to operate in the frequencies listed in the request at power levels not to exceed 23.5 dBW. Finally, Intelsat clarifies that during the Astra—5B launch, the spacecraft will be controlled by Astrium. Astrium will build and send the commands to the Intelsat antenna, which will process and execute the commands. Telemetry received by Intelsat will be forwarded to Astrium. Intelsat will remain in control of the baseband unit, RF equipment and antenna. Grant of this STA request will allow Intelsat to help launch the Astra—5B satellite. This, in turn, will help ensure continuity of service at the 31.5° E.L. orbital location and thereby promotes the public interest. Please direct any questions regarding this STA request to the undersigned at (202) 944—7848. Respectfully submitted, CALCA CQ_ Susan H. Crandall Associate General Counsel Intelsat Corporation ge: Paul Blais


Document Created: 2014-02-12 16:03:56
Document Modified: 2014-02-12 16:03:56
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