The Federal Communications Commission has dismissed the application by Satellite CD Radio Inc. (aka Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.) to launch and operate the FM-6 satellite.The FM-6 satellite was to replace two of Sirius' satellites - FM-1 and FM-2 - and would ultimately reduce the number of satellites in Sirius' network.
Sirius will still be allowed to reapply. The reason the FCC dismissed the application is because Sirius didn't provide enough information on how the satellite would be disposed of. In other words, the space-junk strategy, or as the FCC puts it "orbital debris mitigation plans."
The agency asked for two additional items, which - for all intents and purposes - are just too darn technical to translate into a post that you're not going to read anyway.
So if you're a satellite-geek, go ahead and click the jump to read the additional requests, or read the full FCC document (PDF) yourself.
-- snip --
Although not grounds for dismissal, we request Satellite CD Radio to provide two additional clarifications in any future re-filing.
First, we ask that Satellite CD Radio provide additional information concerning its post-mission disposal plans for the FM-6 satellite as part of any future filing. As part of its current application, Satellite CD Radio proposes to dispose of the FM-6 satellite at end of life by circularizing the orbital altitude of the satellite to an operational perigee of approximately 46,325 kilometers. In any future filing, Satellite CD Radio should confirm the inclination of the disposal orbit, as well as provide any information it has supporting the long-term stability of the disposal orbit.
Second, space station antennas in the fixed-satellite service must be designed to provide a crosspolarization isolation such that the ratio of the on axis co-polar gain to the cross-polar gain of the antenna in the assigned frequency band shall be at least 30 dB within its primary coverage area.8 Although Satellite CD Radio states in its Attachment A to its application that the cross polarization isolation of the satellite feeder link receiver antenna will exceed 30 decibels (dB) within the -3 dB gain contour of the receive frequency, this value stated as 25 dB in its schedule S filling. We request that Satellite CD Radio confirm the actual cross-polar isolation of its antenna as part of any future filing.
Ryan
It was totally obvious this was going to happen. I knew it as soon as I realized the space station antennas in the fixed-satellite service were not designed to provide a crosspolarization isolation such that the ratio of the on axis co-polar gain to the cross-polar gain of the antenna in the assigned frequency band shall be at least 30 dB within its primary coverage area.
Ryan, I'm an engineer by trade, albeit not in SAT communications..... and you were right, it's too technical to translate.
Well..... I'll take a shot at it. The FCC is requesting that Sirius explain how they will dispose of the satellite once its useful life has expired. Basically they place it into a non-functional orbit .... kind of a satellite graveyard. My question is, does this orbit eventually decay.... dropping the SAT to earth?
That last post clears up everything. How could I be so foolish as to not realize what was right in front of me.
It is all irrelevent to the extremes or rational behvior
Any one with an IQ above 70 knew that this was going to happen, Satellite radio is a failure, and the satellite themselves will fail too.
Oh sure. THey can vote on that in a nano second...but it takes them 15 months and counting to approve/deny this merger????
Absofuckinlutely RIDICULOUS!
I am going to tie a couple of those Esties rocket engines together and put up my own satellite.
Stack Pointer is right: if the angle of the dangle is perpendicular to the fall of the ball, the beat of the meat shall remain constant.
"Stack Pointer is right: if the angle of the dangle is perpendicular to the fall of the ball, the beat of the meat shall remain constant. "
You forgot to consider the cube of the pube.
"Stack Pointer is right: if the angle of the dangle is perpendicular to the fall of the ball, the beat of the meat shall remain constant. "
You forgot to consider the cube of the pube.
BINGO. Maybe if we read in between the lines, this means they are approving the merger!!! Could it be? Or are they trying to say that Sirius is a space junk and should be in a different orbit?
Why do I get the feeling that martin is doing this to sirius, just to bust stones for all the flack he is getting (of which he deserves). I feel it's just a powerplay to show that he is boss. His big ego is stopping him from thinking rationally.
will be maintained in longitude of apogee at 96.0 degrees West
All they want is more information.
If they add the information they to not have to pay anything extra.
This amounts to a bunch of nothing.
What i do not understand is the recieve polarity and why it is linear and not circular.
On February 29, 2008, the launch service provider International Launch Services (ILS) announced a contract which includes launch of the SIRIUS FM-6 satellite on a Proton Breeze M rocket. SIRIUS FM-6 is currently under construction at Space Systems/Loral. ILS anticipates the launch will take place in the fourth quarter of 2010.[14]
How is that? Both Dish abd Direct use circular as do many other satellites.
Satellite Of Looooove
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