Attachment Narr and Tech App

This document pretains to SAT-MOD-20150309-00010 for Modification on a Satellite Space Stations filing.

IBFS_SATMOD2015030900010_1078419

                                    Before the
                     FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
                              Washington, D.C. 20554


In the Matter of                                       )
                                                       )
SES AMERICOM, INC.                                     )    File No. SAT-MOD-___________
                                                       )    Call Sign S2155
Application for Modification of AMC-7                  )
Fixed-Satellite Space Station License                  )

                        APPLICATION OF SES AMERICOM, INC.

               SES Americom, Inc. (“SES”) respectfully requests a modification of its license

for the AMC-7 C-band fixed-satellite space station to reassign the spacecraft to 135° W.L. At

135° W.L., AMC-7 will be co-located with SES’s AMC-10 satellite. SES requests authority to

perform Telemetry, Tracking and Command (“TT&C”) in order to relocate AMC-7 from

137º W.L. to 135° W.L., and authority to operate both the TT&C and C-band communications

payloads on AMC-7 after it has arrived. Grant of the requested authority will serve the public

interest by facilitating the use of AMC-7 to provide back-up capacity for AMC-10 and other SES

C-band satellites in this portion of the orbital arc. In addition to seeking reassignment of AMC-7,

SES also requests extension of the AMC-7 license term to October 25, 2018.

               A completed FCC Form 312 is attached, and SES is providing here technical

information relating to the proposed modification to the AMC-7 license in Schedule S and in

narrative form pursuant to Section 25.114 of the Commission’s Rules.1


1
      In completing the Schedule S, SES has relied on the most recent Schedule S instructions
that take into account the changes to Section 25.114 adopted in the Part 25 reform proceeding.
Consistent with those instructions, in cases where the Schedule S software requests information
that space station applicants are no longer required to provide, SES has omitted data elements, or
where necessary to permit validation of the Schedule S file, has entered a “1” as a placeholder.
SES specifies that these “1” data entries are outside the scope of the certifications herein
regarding accuracy of the information provided with this modification.


                                        MODIFICATION

               AMC-7 is C-band satellite that is licensed by the Commission to operate at

137° W.L., with a license term that expires October 25, 2015. SES operates the AMC-10

spacecraft at 135° W.L. SES seeks reassignment of AMC-7 to permit it to be collocated with

AMC-10 in order to facilitate use of AMC-7 to provide back-up capacity as necessary. No

customers of AMC-7 will be adversely affected, as they will be transferred to other satellites

prior to the proposed relocation.

               Relocation Authority. Grant of the requested authority to relocate and operate

AMC-7 will serve the public interest and is consistent with Commission precedent. The

Commission has repeatedly observed that its policy is to allow “satellite operators to rearrange

satellites in their fleet to reflect business and customer considerations where no public interest

factors are adversely affected.” 2 As the International Bureau has explained:

                       the Commission attempts, when possible, to leave
                       spacecraft design decisions to the space station licensee
                       because the licensee is in a better position to determine how
                       to tailor its system to meet the particular needs of its
                       customers. Consequently the Commission will generally
                       grant a licensee’s request to modify its system, provided
                       there are no compelling countervailing public interest
                       considerations. 3

               Here, the proposed change will allow SES to make efficient use of AMC-7 in

order to facilitate the provision of back-up capacity for AMC-10 and other satellites in this

segment of the orbital arc. As noted above, current AMC-7 customers will be transferred to


2
     SES Americom, Inc., Order and Authorization, 21 FCC Rcd 3430, 3433, ¶ 8 (IB 2006),
citing Amendment of the Commission’s Space Station Licensing Rules and Policies, Second
Report and Order, 18 FCC Rcd 12507, 12509, ¶ 7 (2003).
3
      AMSC Subsidiary Corp., Order and Authorization, DA 98-493, 13 FCC Rcd 12316, 12318,
¶ 8 (IB 1998) (footnote omitted).



                                                  2


other spacecraft, so the proposed relocation will not have any impact on existing services. 4 SES

will coordinate internally to ensure compatibility of C-band operations between AMC-7 and

AMC-10, as necessary.

               Reassignment of AMC-7 to 135º W.L. will not adversely affect other operators.

SES will operate only the TT&C frequencies of AMC-7 during the drift and will follow standard

industry practices for coordination of such TT&C transmissions. The Technical Appendix

demonstrates that the AMC-7 network is compliant with Commission rules for operation in a

two-degree spacing environment and is compatible with co-frequency satellites adjacent to the

135º W.L. orbital location.

               As explained in the Technical Appendix, SES plans to operate both AMC-7 and

AMC-10 within the same 135° W.L. +/- 0.05 degrees east-west station keeping box. The

proposed stationkeeping volume for AMC-7 and AMC-10 will not overlap with the

stationkeeping volume of any other spacecraft. 5

               License Extension: SES requests a 3-year extension of the AMC-7 license term

to October 25, 2018. SES has calculated that there is sufficient fuel onboard the AMC-7

spacecraft for the spacecraft to continue providing reliable service during the proposed extended

license term and to deorbit the spacecraft to a disposal altitude of 150 km above geostationary

orbit (see below). 6 In making these calculations, SES has assumed that standard stationkeeping



4
     SES does not have plans to deploy a replacement satellite to 137° W.L. and understands that
following the departure of AMC-7, the Commission will make that location available for
reassignment.
5
     See Technical Appendix at Section 8.
6
     SES developed the nominal lifetime prediction by estimating future fuel consumption,
including for the planned deorbiting maneuvers, and taking into account fuel usage predictions
based on data from previous maneuvers. SES’s calculations use lifetime models that incorporate


                                                   3


maneuvers will be performed to maintain AMC-7 within its existing east-west and north-south

stationkeeping tolerances. 7 Furthermore, although SES does not currently contemplate

relocating AMC-7 to another orbital location, SES has made allowance in its fuel life

calculations for the possibility of a single relocation during the requested extension term of the

AMC-7 license. 8

               The satellite’s overall health is good, with all satellite subsystems functioning

nominally. There is no single point of failure in the satellite’s design; and there is no problem

with the satellite’s TT&C links, including the back-up TT&C links. As a result, extending the

license term for AMC-7 will serve the public interest by allowing SES to continue to use the

spacecraft to provide service to customers, promoting the efficient use of satellite and orbital

resources.

               SES proposes to relocate AMC-7 at its end of life to a disposal orbit with a

minimum perigee altitude of at least 150 km above the geostationary arc. Because AMC-7 was

launched before March 18, 2002, the spacecraft is not subject to the minimum perigee

requirements of Section 25.283(a). 9 The Commission has previously authorized the use of a




uncertainty in a number of variables including initial tank loading, fuel usage efficiency and the
oxidizer to fuel ratio.
7
      The calculations do not assume that the spacecraft will be placed into inclined orbit during
the requested extension term. If AMC-7 is placed into inclined orbit during this time, the
lifetime of the satellite will be extended.
8
     Depending on whether there are any relocations during this time, and the distance and speed
of any such relocations, the expected lifetime of the satellite may be longer or shorter than
estimated. In any case, SES will de-orbit the spacecraft to at least 150 km above the
geostationary arc (as discussed below), regardless of the remaining term of the AMC-7 license.
9
     See 47 C.F.R. § 25.283(d).



                                                 4


150-km deorbit altitude for spacecraft launched prior to March 18, 2002. 10 Calculations

performed by SES indicate that at the conclusion of the requested extension period, the

spacecraft will have sufficient fuel to reach the proposed deorbit altitude, barring a catastrophic

failure of satellite components. Thus, SES’s plans for deorbit of AMC-7 are consistent with

Commission precedent and will facilitate placement of AMC-7 in a disposal orbit at its end of

life.


                                      WAIVER REQUESTS

                 SES requests limited waivers of the Commission’s requirements in connection

with the instant modification application. Grant of the waivers is consistent with Commission

policy:

                        The Commission may waive a rule for good cause shown.
                        Waiver is appropriate if special circumstances warrant a
                        deviation from the general rule and such deviation would
                        better serve the public interest than would strict adherence
                        to the general rule. Generally, the Commission may grant a
                        waiver of its rules in a particular case if the relief requested
                        would not undermine the policy objective of the rule in
                        question and would otherwise serve the public interest. 11

                 Sections 25.114(d)(14) and 25.283(c): Sections 25.114(d)(14)(ii) and 25.283(c)

address requirements relating to venting stored energy sources at the spacecraft’s end of life. 12

AMC-7 is a Lockheed Martin A2100 model spacecraft. As described in more detail in the

attached Technical Appendix, the oxidizer tanks on the spacecraft were sealed following

10
    See, e.g., SES Americom, Inc., Application for Modification of Satcom SN-4 Fixed Satellite
Space Station License, DA 05-1812, 20 FCC Rcd 11542 (Sat. Div. 2005) at ¶ 15.
11
        PanAmSat Licensee Corp., 17 FCC Rcd10483, 10492 (Sat. Div. 2002) (footnotes omitted).
12
     Section 25.283(c) contains the substantive venting requirement, and
Section 25.114(d)(14)(ii) requires applicants to submit information that addresses “whether
stored energy will be removed at the spacecraft’s end of life.” 47 C.F.R. § 25.114(d)(14)(ii).



                                                   5


completion of the launch phase and will therefore retain residual pressure when the spacecraft is

retired. Given the spacecraft design, it is physically impossible for SES to vent the oxidizer

tanks in order to comply with Section 25.283(c).

                Under Commission precedent, grant of a waiver is warranted. In a number of

cases involving various spacecraft models with similar limitations, the Commission has waived

Section 25.283(c) to permit launch and operation of spacecraft that do not allow for full venting

of pressure vessels at end of life, based on a finding that modifying the space station design at a

late stage of construction would pose an undue hardship. 13 In the case of AMC-7, which was

launched and operational before the venting requirements were adopted, there is no question of

bringing the satellite into compliance with the rule. The Commission has expressly recognized

this, finding a waiver of Section 25.283(c) to be justified for in-orbit spacecraft that cannot

satisfy the rule’s requirements. For example, in a decision involving the AMC-2 satellite, which

like AMC-7 was launched before Section 25.283(c) was adopted, the Commission waived the

rule on its own motion, observing that venting the spacecraft’s sealed oxidizer tanks “would

require direct retrieval of the satellite, which is not currently possible.” 14

13
     See, e.g., EchoStar Satellite Operating Corp., File No. SAT-LOA-20071221-00183, Call
Sign S2746, grant-stamped Mar. 12, 2008, Attachment at ¶ 4 (granting a partial waiver of
Section 25.283(c) for AMC-14, a Lockheed Martin A2100 model spacecraft, on grounds that
requiring modification of satellite would present an undue hardship); DIRECTV Enterprises LLC,
File No. SAT-LOA-20090807-00086, Call Sign S2797, grant-stamped Dec. 15, 2009,
Attachment at ¶ 4 (same for DIRECTV 12, a Boeing 702 model spacecraft); PanAmSat Licensee
Corp., File Nos. SAT-MOD-20070207-00027, SAT-AMD-20070716-00102, Call Sign S2237,
grant-stamped Oct. 4, 2007, Attachment at ¶ 7 (same for Intelsat 11, an Orbital Sciences Star
model spacecraft).
14
     File No. SAT-MOD-20101215-00261, Call Sign S2134, grant-stamped Mar. 8, 2011,
Attachment at ¶ 4. See also XM Radio Inc., File No. SAT-MOD-20100722-00165, Call Sign
S2616, grant-stamped Oct. 14, 2010, Attachment at ¶ 2 (waiving Section 25.283(c) for XM-4, a
Boeing 702 model spacecraft, because “modification of the spacecraft would present an undue
hardship, since XM-4 is an in-orbit space station and venting XM-4’s helium and xenon tanks
would require direct retrieval of the satellite, which is not currently possible”).


                                                    6


               The same practical obstacle is present here. Because AMC-7 is already in orbit,

SES can do nothing to enable full venting of residual pressure in the oxidizer tanks. Given this

reality, a waiver is clearly warranted.


                                          CONCLUSION

               For the foregoing reasons, SES seeks a modification of the AMC-7 license to

reassign the spacecraft to 135° W.L. and to extend the satellite’s license term through October 25,

2018.

                                             Respectfully submitted,

                                             SES AMERICOM, INC.

                                             By: /s/ Gerald E. Oberst

Of Counsel                                       Gerald E. Oberst
Karis A. Hastings                                Nancy J. Eskenazi
SatCom Law LLC                                   SES Americom, Inc.
1317 F Street, N.W., Suite 400                   1129 20th Street, N.W., Suite 1000
Washington, D.C. 20004                           Washington, D.C. 20036
Tel: (202) 599-0975

Dated: March 9, 2015




                                                7


                                            Attachment A
                    Technical Information to Supplement Schedule S

1        SCOPE


This Attachment contains information required by §25.114(d) and other sections of the FCC
Part 25 rules that cannot be entered into the Schedule S submission.


2        GENERAL DESCRIPTION


The AMC-7 satellite is a C-band satellite that will operate collocated with the AMC-10 satellite
at the 135° W.L. orbital location. AMC-7 will serve as a back-up for AMC-10 and other SES
satellites in this section of the orbital arc.


The AMC-7 satellite has two C-band beams: an Alaskan beam and a beam covering all fifty
USA States (the “USA” beam). At the 135° W.L. orbital location, only the USA beam will be
employed and therefore only the USA beam (uplink and downlink direction) is described herein.


The satellite employs twenty-four 36 MHz transponders operating in both linear polarizations.
At the 135° W.L. orbital location, the satellite will be operated with the same polarization as
AMC-10, which is odd channels in the uplink direction are horizontally polarized, and odd
channels in the downlink direction are vertically polarized. The satellite is designed to meet all
the requirements of §25.210(a) as well as §25.210(f).


3        PREDICTED SPACE STATION ANTENNA GAIN CONTOURS


The AMC-7 satellite’s antenna gain contours for all receive and transmit beams, as required by
§25.114(c)(4)(vi)(A), are provided in GXT format and embedded in the associated Schedule S
submission. The gain contours of the horn antennas, which are used for normal on-station
telecommand as well as telemetry in anomaly situations, vary by less than 8 dB across the
surface of the Earth and therefore the contours have not been included in the Schedule S
submission.     Similarly, the gain contours of the near-omnidirectional antennas used for

                                                 1


emergency TT&C also vary by less than 8 dB across the surface of the Earth and thus also have
not been included in the Schedule S submission.


4       SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED


The AMC-7 satellite will provide a variety of FSS and DTH services including a range of
narrow- and wide-band digital services. Analog TV (TV/FM) carriers may also be transmitted in
a limited number of transponders. Representative link budgets, which include details of the
transmission characteristics, performance objectives and earth station characteristics, are
provided in the associated Schedule S submission.


5       MAXIMUM OPERATION LEVELS


The AMC-7 satellite will be operated such that downlink transmissions of digital carriers will not
exceed an EIRP density of -30 dBW/Hz (6 dBW/4kHz). Downlink transmissions of analog TV
carriers (2 MHz energy dispersal bandwidth) will not exceed an EIRP density of -23.4 dBW/Hz
(12.6 dBW/4 kHz) in order to comply with power flux-density limits.


No authorized uplink earth station operating with AMC-7, whether transmitting a digital or
analog carrier, will exceed an uplink input power density of -38.7 dBW/Hz.


6       ARRANGEMENT FOR TT&C


Table 6-1 summarizes the salient details of the TT&C for on-station and emergency operations.
Additional TT&C information is provided in the associated Schedule S submission.




                                                2


              Table 6-1. TT&C on-station frequencies, polarizations and beams

                Carrier            Frequency          Polarization
                                                                          Beam
                  Type               (MHz)               Type
           Command 1                 6423.5                V           Global horn
           Command 2                 6423.5             H or V            Omni
           Telemetry 1               3700.5             H or V          Comms
           Telemetry 2               4199.5             H or V          Comms
           Telemetry 3               3700.5                V           Global horn
           Telemetry 4               4199.5                V           Global horn
           Telemetry 5               3700.5                H              Omni
           Telemetry 6               4199.5                H              Omni



7       INTERFERENCE AND PFD ANALYSES


The interference and power flux-density (“PFD”) analyses are contained in Annex A of this
Attachment.


8       ORBITAL DEBRIS MITIGATION PLAN


8.1     Spacecraft Hardware Design


SES has assessed and limited the amount of debris released in a planned manner during normal
operations of AMC-7 at 135° W.L. No debris is generated during normal on-station operations
and the spacecraft will be in a stable configuration.


SES has also assessed and limited the probability of the space station becoming a source of
orbital debris by collisions with small debris or meteoroids that could cause loss of control and
prevent post-mission disposal. The design of the AMC-7 satellite locates all sources of stored
energy within the body of the structure, which provides protection from small orbital debris.
SES requires that spacecraft manufacturers assess the probability of micrometeorite damage that
can cause any loss of functionality. This probability is then factored into the ultimate spacecraft
probability of success. Any significant probability of damage would need to be mitigated in
order for the spacecraft design to meet SES’s required probability of success of the mission. SES



                                                  3


has taken steps to limit the effects of any collisions through shielding, the placement of
components, and the use of redundant systems.


8.2     Minimizing Accidental Explosions


The AMC-7 satellite was designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin and was launched in
2000.


SES has assessed and limited the probability of accidental explosions during and after
completion of mission operations. As part of the Safety Data Package submission for SES
spacecraft, an extensive analysis is completed by the spacecraft manufacturer, reviewing each
potential hazard relating to accidental explosions. A matrix is generated indicating the worst-
case effect, the hazard cause, and the hazard controls available to minimize the severity and the
probability of occurrence. Each subsystem is analyzed for potential hazards, and the Safety
Design Package is provided for each phase of the program running from design phase,
qualification, manufacturing and operational phase of the spacecraft.          Also, the spacecraft
manufacturer generates a Failure Mode Effects and Criticality Analysis for the spacecraft to
identify all potential mission failures. The risk of accidental explosion is included as part of this
analysis. This analysis indicates failure modes, possible causes, methods of detection, and
compensating features of the spacecraft design.


The design of the AMC-7 spacecraft is such that the risk of explosion is minimized both during
and after mission operations. In designing and building the spacecraft, the manufacturer took
steps to ensure that debris generation will not result from the conversion of energy sources on
board the satellite into energy that fragments the satellite. All propulsion subsystem pressure
vessels, which have high margins of safety at launch, have even higher margins in orbit, since
use of propellants and pressurants during launch decreases the propulsion system pressure. Burst
tests are performed on all pressure vessels during qualification testing to demonstrate a margin of
safety against burst.    Bipropellant mixing is prevented by the use of valves that prevent
backwards flow in propellant and pressurization lines. All pressures, including those of the
batteries, are monitored by telemetry.


                                                  4


At the end of operational life, after the satellite has reached its final disposal orbit, onboard
sources of stored energy will be depleted or secured, and the batteries will be discharged.
However, at the end of AMC-7’s operational life, there will be oxidizer remaining in the tanks
that cannot be vented.         Following insertion of the spacecraft into orbit, the spacecraft
manufacturer permanently sealed the oxidizer tanks by firing pyrotechnic valves. This is a
design feature of the Lockheed A2100 series spacecraft that cannot now be changed or remedied.
Information regarding the residual oxidizer in the tanks is as follows:


       Tank          Volume [l]        Pressure [bar]    Temp. [deg C]     Oxidizer mass [kg]
       Ox 1             229.8               17.9              21                 7.385
       Ox 2             229.8               17.9              21                 7.385

The oxidizer tanks are well shielded, and the residual pressure in the tanks will be well below
their maximum rating.


In the narrative portion of this application, SES requests any necessary waiver of
Sections 25.114(d)(14)(ii) and 25.283(c) in connection with the residual oxidizer that will remain
in these tanks at the end of the satellite’s life.


8.3      Safe Flight Profiles


SES has assessed and limited the probability of the space station becoming a source of debris by
collisions with large debris or other operational space stations. Specifically, SES has assessed
the possibility of collision with satellites located at, or reasonably expected to be located at, the
requested orbital location or assigned in the vicinity of that location.


Regarding avoidance of collisions with controlled objects, in general, if a geosynchronous
satellite is controlled within its specified longitude and latitude station-keeping limits, collision
with another controlled object (excluding where the satellite is collocated with another object) is
the direct result of that object entering the allocated space.


In considering current and planned satellites that may have a station-keeping volume that
overlaps the AMC-7 satellite, SES has reviewed the FCC databases for FCC licensed satellite

                                                     5


networks and those that are currently under consideration by the FCC. In addition, networks for
which a request for coordination has been published by the ITU within ±0.15 degrees of
135° W.L. have also been reviewed. Only those networks that either operate, or are planned to
operate, and have an overlapping station-keeping volume with the AMC-7 satellite, have been
taken into account in the analysis.


Based on these reviews, there are two satellites operating nominally at 135° W.L.: the AMC-10
satellite operated by SES and the GOES 15 satellite operated by NOAA. There are no pending
applications before the Commission requesting authorization to use an orbital location within
±0.15° of 135° W.L., and within this sub-arc, there are no known operational or known satellites
progressing towards launch.


On-station operations require station-keeping within the +/- 0.05 degree N-S and E-W control
box, thereby ensuring adequate collision avoidance distance from other satellites in
geosynchronous orbit.     AMC-7 will be collocated with AMC-10.             During the period of
collocation, SES will use the proven Inclination-Eccentricity (IE) technique to ensure adequate
separation between its satellites. This strategy is presently in use by SES at several orbital
locations to ensure proper operation and safety of multiple satellites within one orbital box.


SES Americom uses the Space Data Center (“SDC”) system from the Space Data Association to
monitor the risk of close approach of its satellites with other objects. Any close encounters
(separation of less than 10 km) are flagged and investigated in more detail.            If required,
avoidance maneuvers are performed to eliminate the possibility of collisions. SES uses this
information to avoid collision with the GOES 15 satellite and any other satellite that might
venture into the vicinity of SES’s operations.


During any relocation, the moving spacecraft is maneuvered such that it is at least 30 km away
from the synchronous radius at all times.        In most cases, much larger deviation from the
synchronous radius is used. In addition, the SDC system is used to ensure no close encounter
occurs during the move. When de-orbit of a spacecraft is required, the initial phase is treated as
a satellite move, and the same precautions are used to ensure collision avoidance.


                                                 6


8.4      Post Mission Disposal Plan


Post-mission disposal of the satellite from operational orbit will be accomplished by carrying out
maneuvers to raise the satellite to a higher orbit. The upper stage engine remains part of the
satellite, and there is no re-entry phase for either component. The fuel budget for elevating the
satellite to a disposal orbit is included in the satellite design.

SES plans to maneuver AMC-7 to a disposal orbit with a minimum perigee at least 150 km
above its operational geostationary orbit. SES intends to reserve 11 kg of fuel in order to
account for post-mission disposal of AMC-7. SES has assessed fuel-gauging uncertainty and has
provided an adequate margin of fuel reserve to address the assessed uncertainty.

AMC-7 is not subject to the minimum perigee requirement of Section 25.283(a) of the
Commission’s Rules because the satellite was launched prior to March 18, 2002. However, for
the Commission’s information, the disposal orbit altitude resulting from the IADC formula
would be 262 km based on the following calculation:

        Area of the satellite (average aspect area): 17.8 m2

        Mass of the spacecraft: 935 kg

        CR (solar radiation pressure coefficient): 1.42

Therefore the disposal altitude as calculated under the IADC formula is:

36,021 km + (1000 x CR x A/m) = 36,048 km or 262 km above the GSO (35,786 km).




                                                    7


              CERTIFICATION OF PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PREPARING
                          ENGINEERING INFORMATION




       I hereby certify that I am the technically qualified person responsible for preparation of

the engineering information contained in this application, that I am familiar with Part 25 of the

Commission’s rules, that I have either prepared or reviewed the engineering information

submitted in this application and that it is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge

and belief.




                                                                    /s/
                                                           ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
                                                           Stephen D. McNeil
                                                           Telecomm Strategies Canada, Inc.
                                                           Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
                                                           (613) 270-1177




                                               8


                                            ANNEX A

                           INTERFERENCE AND PFD ANALYSES

1.0    Interference Analyses

This section demonstrates that the AMC-7 satellite network is two-degree compatible.


1.1    137° W.L. Orbital Location


SES seeks Commission-authorization to move the AMC-7 satellite from 137° W.L. to 135° W.L.
Assuming the Commission authorizes the move, relocation of AMC-7 would leave the
137° W.L. orbital location vacant. In such instances, and for purposes of demonstrating two-
degree compatibility, the Commission allows an applicant to assume a future two-degree
separated satellite has the same characteristics as the applicant’s satellite.


The associated Schedule S submission contains the link budgets for the AMC-7 satellite. The
link budgets assume two adjacent interfering satellites, each located two degrees away from
135° W.L.; one to the east and one to the west. These two hypothetical satellites have been
assumed to be transmitting at the same maximum uplink power density and downlink EIRP
density levels as those being sought for the AMC-7 satellite network. The AMC-7 link budgets
demonstrate that the links are sufficiently robust given the assumed interference levels and
therefore also serve to demonstrate that the AMC-7 satellite network is compatible with a
potential future satellite located at 137° W.L.


1.2    133° W.L. Orbital Location


Intelsat operates the C-band GALAXY-15 satellite at 133° W.L. This section demonstrates
compatibility between the operations of the AMC-7 and GALAXY-15 satellite networks.


Table 1 provides a summary of the digital transmission parameters derived from the AMC-7 link
budgets that are embedded in the associated Schedule S submission.               Table 2 provides a




                                                  A1


summary of the digital transmission parameters of the GALAXY-15 satellite network as
contained in the GALAXY-15 application. 1


Interference from the AMC-7 network into the GALAXY-15 network was calculated and vice
versa. Tables 3 and 4 show the results of the interference calculations using the transmission
parameters of the two networks’ digital carriers. These tables provide the calculated downlink
and uplink C/I. The interference calculations assume a 1 dB advantage for topocentric-to-
geocentric conversion and that all wanted and interfering carriers are co-polarized. The C/I
calculations were performed on a per Hz basis, and assume that all earth stations comply with
Section 25.209.


With respect to the uplink, the input power density for AMC-7 will not exceed that allowed
under Section 25.218(d) of the FCC’s rules (equivalent to an input power density of -38.7
dBW/Hz). With respect to the downlink, the calculated C/I’s are within the range of C/I’s used
in the link budgets for GALAXY-15 in Intelsat’s FCC application.              Specifically, Intelsat
assumed an adjacent satellite downlink C/I, in Exhibit A-1 of its application, ranging from 9.4 to
22 dB.   As a result, this analysis demonstrates the compatibility between the AMC-7 and
GALAXY-15 satellite networks.


Table 1. AMC-7 Typical Digital Carrier Transmission Parameters
                         Tx E/S     Uplink     Uplink Input                      Rx E/S
             Bandwidth                                        Downlink EIRP
Carrier ID                Gain       EIRP     Power Density                       Gain
               (MHz)                                             (dBW)
                          (dBi)     (dBW)       (dBW/Hz)                          (dBi)
     1        0.0486       47.4      49.4          -44.1           12.1            38.1
     2         1.688       42.0      57.0          -46.5           24.7            49.9
     3          6.33       47.4      68.3          -46.4           31.0            41.9
     4          18.2       53.7      75.0          -50.5           39.6            38.1
     5           36        50.1      83.9          -40.9           40.1            41.9
     6           36        50.1      75.0          -49.8           40.1            43.6




1
    See SAT-AMD-20031103-00320.
                                               A2


Table 2. GALAXY-15 Digital Carrier Transmission Parameters
                                                Tx E/S     Uplink                       Rx E/S
                             Bandwidth                                  Downlink EIRP
Carrier ID                                       Gain       EIRP                         Gain
                               (MHz)                                       (dBW)
                                                 (dBi)     (dBW)                         (dBi)
                    1             30.133          53.1      76.8               41.2       40.7
                    2              5.565          53.1      71.9               32.9       40.7
                    3              0.077          53.1      53.3               14.3       40.7
                    4             0.0512          53.1      52.4               13.4       43.4
                    5               1.24          53.1      66.2               27.2       43.4
                    6              1.229          53.1      62.0               23.0       40.7
                    7              0.307          44.6      47.7               12.7       49.8




Table 3. Uplink C/I (dB); AMC-7 interfering into GALAXY-15.
                                           Interfering Carriers
                        Carrier
                                     1      2       3      4      5      6
                          ID
                           1        30.0   32.4    32.3   36.5   26.9   35.8
  Wanted Carriers




                           2        25.1   27.5    27.4   31.6   22.0   30.9
                           3        25.1   27.4    27.4   31.5   21.9   30.8
                           4        26.0   28.3    28.2   32.4   22.8   31.7
                           5        25.9   28.3    28.2   32.4   22.8   31.7
                           6        21.8   24.1    24.0   28.2   18.6   27.5
                           7        13.5   15.8    15.7   19.9   10.3   19.2




Table 4. Uplink C/I (dB); GALAXY-15 interfering into AMC-7.

                                                Interfering Carriers
                        Carrier
                                     1      2       3      4      5      6        7
                          ID
                           1        29.6   34.5    34.5   33.7   33.7   37.9    37.7
                           2        21.8   26.7    26.7   25.9   25.9   30.1    29.9
Carriers
Wanted




                           3        27.4   32.3    32.3   31.4   31.5   35.6    35.4
                           4        29.5   34.4    34.4   33.5   33.6   37.7    37.5
                           5        35.4   40.3    40.4   39.5   39.5   43.7    43.5
                           6        26.5   31.4    31.5   30.6   30.6   34.8    34.6




                                                                         A3


Table 5. Downlink C/I (dB); AMC-7 interfering into GALAXY-15.


                                     Interfering Carriers
                    Carrier
                               1      2      3      4      5      6
                      ID
                       1      20.6   23.4   22.9   18.9   21.4   21.3
  Wanted Carriers




                       2      19.6   22.5   21.9   17.9   20.4   20.4
                       3      19.6   22.5   21.9   17.9   20.4   20.4
                       4      23.2   26.0   25.5   21.5   23.9   23.9
                       5      23.2   26.0   25.4   21.5   23.9   23.9
                       6      16.3   19.1   18.6   14.6   17.0   17.0
                       7      21.1   24.0   23.4   19.4   21.9   21.9



Table 6. Downlink C/I (dB); GALAXY-15 interfering into AMC-7.

                                          Interfering Carriers
                    Carrier
                               1      2      3      4      5      6      7
                      ID
                       1      17.3   18.3   18.3   17.4   17.4   21.6   25.9
                       2      26.2   27.2   27.2   26.3   26.4   30.5   34.8
Carriers
Wanted




                       3      18.8   19.7   19.8   18.9   18.9   23.1   27.4
                       4      19.0   20.0   20.0   19.1   19.2   23.3   27.6
                       5      20.3   21.3   21.3   20.4   20.5   24.6   28.9
                       6      22.0   23.0   23.0   22.1   22.2   26.3   30.6




The preceding did not consider interference from or into TV/FM carriers. TV/FM carriers can be
very high-density carriers when the signal collapses to the energy dispersal bandwidth. As a
result, operation of sensitive narrowband carriers is precluded within, and near, the center of the
TV/FM carrier. Satellite operators avoid placement of their sensitive narrowband carriers near
the energy dispersal bandwidth of a TV/FM carrier being transmitted by an adjacent satellite
operator. C/I calculations between narrowband carriers and TV/FM carriers only serve to show
their non-compatibility in a two-degree spacing environment (when assuming the worst-case
situation where the narrowband carrier is located within the energy dispersal bandwidth of the
TV/FM carrier). SES will coordinate any analog carriers on a case-by-case basis and therefore
they are not addressed in this analysis.



                                                                 A4


2.0       PFD Analyses

SES will operate the AMC-7 satellite such that all C-band downlink transmissions will comply
with the PFD limits of §25.208(a), as well as those of Article 21 of the ITU’s Radio Regulations.


The maximum PFD levels caused by the AMC-7 satellite occur when a TV/FM carrier is
transmitted and hence this carrier type is used to demonstrate compliance with the PFD limits of
§25.208. In order to comply with the PFD limits, the downlink EIRP of an AMC-7 TV/FM
carrier needs to be limited to 39.6 dBW, which causes an EIRP density of -23.4 dBW/Hz (2 MHz
energy dispersal bandwidth). Using this high EIRP density, Table 7 shows the maximum PFD
levels that can occur at various angles of arrival and demonstrates compliance with §25.208.
Note that the maximum EIRP density that will be transmitted for digital carriers is -30 dBW/Hz
(i.e., 6.6 dB lower than the TV/FM carrier), hence all AMC-7 digital carriers also comply with
the PFD limits of §25.208.



Table 7. Maximum AMC-7 PFD Levels.
             Applicable PFD                                      Worst Case PFD
            Limit for Angle of                                                       PFD Margin
Angle of                         Spreading Loss   Gain Contour   Level at Angle of
Arrival          Arrival           (dBW/m2)           (dB)           Arrival
            (dBW/m2/4 kHz)                                                              (dB)
                                                                 (dBW/m2/4 kHz)

    0°           -152.0              -163.4            -1.5           -152.3            0.3
    5°           -152.0              -163.3            -1.4           -152.1            0.1
   10°           -149.5              -163.2            -1.1           -151.6            2.1
   15°           -147.0              -163.0            -0.7           -151.1            4.1
   20°           -144.5              -162.9            -0.4           -150.7            6.2
   25°           -142.0              -162.8            -0.3           -150.5            8.5
  33.3°
                 -142.0              -162.7            0.0            -150.1            8.1
 (Peak)




                                 _______________________________




                                                  A5


               ANNEX B

ANTENNA GAIN CONTOUR DIAGRAMS (COMMS)

                Figure 1.
           Uplink Beam CUH
          Horizontal Polarization




                    B1


      Figure 2.
 Uplink Beam CUV
Vertical Polarization




         B2


      Figure 3.
Downlink Beam CDH
Horizontal Polarization




          B3


           Figure 4.
     Downlink Beam CDV
     Vertical Polarization




_____________________________




              B4



Document Created: 2015-03-09 09:34:37
Document Modified: 2015-03-09 09:34:37

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