FCC grants DirecTV 30 day test period for DirecTV 11 satellite

As our tipster Rob so eloquently put it: "Gentlemen, start your satellite." According to fresh documentation from the FCC, the agency has granted DirecTV "temporary authority" to operate its recently launched DirecTV 11 satellite and "conduct in-orbit testing." The satcaster will also be allowed to "conduct telemetry, tracking and control operations" when the window opens on May 25th. September's getting closer all the time, eh? [Warning: PDF read link]

[Thanks, Rob]

[(Unverified) Posted May 23rd 2008 3:21PM]

What authority does the FCC have in SPACE??

[(Unverified) Posted May 23rd 2008 3:46PM]

broadcast satellites fall under the telecommunications catagory

fcc regulates telecommunications

[kastonie Posted May 23rd 2008 4:24PM]

i can't even begin to imagine why the FCC needs to grant them permission to test their own system.

[(Unverified) Posted May 23rd 2008 5:45PM]

Maybe they should worry more about the Sirius/XM merger and leave space alone.