Page 82 - SAMENA Trends - April-May 2021

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NASA to Test Geosynchronous Satellite Laser at 1.2 Gbps

NASA is preparing to conduct a Laser future crewed missions to the Moon and Technology Demonstration Missions
Communications Relay Demonstration Mars. The LCRD mission is led by NASA's program, part of the agency's Space
(LCRD) that will launch on STPSat-6, Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Technology Mission Directorate, and the
the primary spacecraft of the third Maryland. Partners include NASA's Space Communications and Navigation
Space Test Program (STP-3) mission Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern (SCaN) program within the agency's
for the Department of Defense. STP-3 is California and the MIT Lincoln Laboratory. Human Exploration and Operations
scheduled to lift off on a United Launch LCRD is funded through NASA's Mission Directorate.
Alliance Atlas V 551 rocket Wednesday,
June 23, from Space Launch Complex 41
at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in
Florida. The Laser Communications Relay
Demonstration will use microwave-oven-
size optical modules will send and receive
data over infrared lasers at 1.2 Gbps from
geosynchronous orbit to Earth. The test
will beam data between LCRD and optical
ground stations located in Table Mountain,
California, and Haleakalā, Hawaii. Later
in its mission, LCRD will conduct optical
communications relay services with a
future terminal on the International Space
Station, which is expected to launch on a
commercial resupply services mission in
2022. These operations could prove the
viability of using laser communications in

ITU Okays Serbian Orbital Position & Radio Frequency Channels

The International Telecommunication – Appendix 30B and the Broadcasting- FSS Plan (Appendix 30B) and BSS Plan
Union (ITU) has accepted the proposal of Satellite Service and Associated Feeder (Appendices 30&30A) is of significance
a single orbital position of 26.7 degrees Link Allotment Plan – Appendices 30&30A. primarily because of the financial effect,
West and the frequency channels of future The Republic of Serbia, as an ITU member whether the Republic of Serbia wants to
satellite networks of the Republic of Serbia state, is entitled to the assignment set up its own satellite in the foreseeable
for the FSS (Fixed Satellite Service) and BSS of geostationary satellite orbits and future or wishes to lease its resources to
(Broadcast Satellite Service). According corresponding radio frequency channels, another entity," said the release. "It is far
to a press release from the Regulatory as well as having its future satellite more affordable to set up one satellite for
Agency for Electronic Communications network registered in the appropriate the whole frequency spectrum assigned
and Postal Services (RATEL), the Republic plan (without any time obligation as to to the FSS Plan (Appendix 30B) and the
of Serbia did not have an assigned the putting into operation of the satellite BSS Plan (Appendices 30&30A) (800
allocation earlier, but there was a shared network). The new network of the Republic MHz + 270 MHz), instead of two satellites
orbital position of 43.04 degrees East of Serbia has an orbital position of 26.7ºW for two separate orbital positions and
for all countries of the region (allocated and a frequency band of 800 MHz, and the corresponding frequency bandwidths,
to the former state of SFR Yugoslavia). new network SRB_BSS in the Appendices taking into account that the equipment
According to the Radio Regulations, 30&30A Plan is assigned the same orbital price and launching costs per satellite
certain radio frequency bands, allocated position 26.7ºW, with a frequency band are in the range of 200 to 400 million US
to the satellite service, are used for the of 270 MHz. "The acceptance of our dollars," it added.
development of satellite Plans, namely: proposal by the ITU and assignment of
the Fixed-Satellite Service Allotment Plan one same orbital position for both the

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