Exhibit 10.19
*** Text Omitted and Filed Separately
Confidential Treatment Requested
Under 17 C.F.R. (S)(S) 200.80(b)(4),
200.83 and 230.406
GE-3 SATELLITE TRANSPONDER SERVICE AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT between GE American Communications, Inc., as agent for GE
Capital Europe Limited and SkyCache, Inc. ("Customer") is made effective as of
the date of the last signature below. All references to "GE Americom" herein
shall include both GE Capital Europe Limited and GE American Communications,
Inc. as agent therefor. Defined terms used in this Agreement have the meanings
specified herein.
ARTICLE 1. SERVICE PROVIDED
A. Scope. GE Americom will provide to Customer (i) initially Moveable Protected
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Service on one (1) Transponder on the GE-3 Satellite and (ii) when Customer's
assigned Transponder on the GE-4 Satellite, (or the Ground Spare, as provided
below) is Commercially Operational, Fully Protected Service on one (1)
Transponder on the planned GE-4 Satellite, in lieu of service on the GE-3
Satellite (collectively "Service"). Customer agrees that Service will be used
solely for the transmission of digital signals. Service will be provided in
accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, including
Attachment A1-GE-3 Transponder Performance Specifications or Attachment A2-GE-4
Transponder Performance Specifications, as the case may be, Attachment B-
Commercial Operations System User's Guide, and Attachment C-Form of Letter of
Credit (collectively, the "Agreement").
The GE-3 Satellite is authorized to be and is located at the 87 ▇.▇.
orbital position. The Satellite may, however, be located at any other orbital
position hereafter authorized by the FCC.
Technical performance criteria for the GE-3 Satellite are described in the
Transponder Performance Specifications set forth in Attachment Al. The
transponder number will be Transponder 6K. The transponder assignment will be
changed only in accordance with this Agreement or to prevent interference by or
to Customer's operations.
GE Americom is planning for the GE-4 Satellite to be launched in the fourth
calendar quarter of 1999 and to become Commercially Operational during the first
calendar quarter of 2000. The GE-4 Satellite is authorized to be located at the
101 ▇.▇. orbital position. The GE-4 Satellite may, however, be located at any
other orbital position hereafter authorized by the FCC. If the GE-4 Satellite
becomes a Launch Failure, GE Americom plans to launch the Ground Spare within
fifteen (15) months after such Launch Failure. If the Ground Spare becomes
Commercially Operational, all references to the GE-4 Satellite in this Agreement
shall be considered to mean the Ground Spare, except that the technical
specifications for the Ground Spare will be substituted for those specifications
in Attachment A-2.
Technical performance criteria for the GE-4 Satellite are described in the
Transponder Performance Specifications set forth in Attachment A2. The
transponder number will be Transponder 5K (provided such Transponder becomes
Commercially Operational). The transponder assignment will be changed only if
Transponder 5K does not become Commercially
Operational, in accordance with this Agreement, or to prevent interference by or
to Customer's operations.
In the event that GE-4 is a Launch Failure as defined hereunder, GE
Americom will provide Customer with notice advising that the GE-4 Launch Failure
has occurred (the "GE-4 Launch Failure Notice"). Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained herein, in the event a Ground Spare is not launched and made
Commercially Operational by GE Americom within three hundred and thirty (330)
days of the GE-4 Launch Failure Notice, Customer has the option to either (i)
continue to take Moveable Protected Service on the GE-3 Satellite for the
remainder of the Service Term, or (ii) terminate the Agreement. If Customer
fails to notify GE Americom of its election within ten (10) business days of the
expiration of the Ground Spare Replacement Period, Customer shall continue to
take Service on the GE-3 Satellite for the remainder of the Service Term.
In connection with the transfer of Service from the GE-3 Satellite to the
GE-4 Satellite, Customer shall be permitted to dually illuminate, at Customer's
expense to accomplish such dual illumination, the Transponder upon which Service
is provided on the GE-3 Satellite and the Transponder on the GE-4 Satellite for
such period of time as GE Americom deems appropriate; not to exceed, in any
event however, ten (10) days, at no additional charge. The parties understand
and agree that the transfer of Service from the GE-3 Satellite to the GE-4
Satellite may require a change in transponder assignment, including
polarization.
B. Service Priorities.
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1. With respect to Moveable Protected Service on the GE-3 Satellite:
a. GE Americom shall immediately initiate all reasonable measures,
consistent with protecting the Satellite and all services provided thereon, to
restore as quickly as possible (consistent with GE Americom's policies and
procedures for the restoration of Protected Transponders), Customer's
Transponder should it become a Transponder Failure. Restoration shall be
effected in the following manner and order, on a first-needed, first-served
basis: first, by utilizing any available Replacement Transponder on the
Satellite; and second, if no such Replacement Transponder is available, by using
a Preemptible Transponder on the Satellite, if available. If no such Protection
Transponder is available on the Satellite, Customer's service shall be restored
on the Restoration Satellite (as designated below), subject to and in accordance
with the terms of this Article.
b. Customer's Transponder may itself be preempted to restore a satellite
failure of the GE-2 satellite. Immediately upon notice from GE Americom stating
that Customer's Transponder is being preempted, Customer shall cease
transmitting to such Transponder. If Customer fails to vacate such Transponder
immediately after being given such notice, GE Americom may, without further
notice to Customer, take appropriate action to vacate Customer's signal. In the
case of such preemption, Customer's service will be restored on the Restoration
Satellite, subject to and in accordance with the terms of this Article.
c. After commencement of the GE-3 Term hereunder, if the GE-3 Satellite
becomes a Satellite Failure, or Customer's Transponder becomes a Transponder
Failure and cannot be restored on the GE-3 Satellite, or should Customer's
service be preempted to restore a satellite failure of the GE-2 satellite,
restoration shall be provided on a Preemptible Transponder on the Restoration
Satellite, if available. If service is restored on the Restoration Satellite,
then Customer's service shall change to Non-Preemptible Service. If
Non-Preemptible Service is so provided, all references to the GE-3 Satellite in
this Agreement shall be considered to mean the Restoration Satellite for all
purposes of this Agreement; except with respect to service level (as described
above) and except that (i) the technical specifications for the Restoration
Satellite shall be substituted for those specifications in Attachment Al and
(ii) during the period such Non- Preemptible Service is provided, the MRC
specified in Article 2. Payment shall be reduced by [ *** ]. In the event such
Non-Preemptible Service as described in the previous sentence is provided by GE
Americom within the first six (6) months of Service, (no later than March 31,
2000), there shall be no such reduction to the MRC. If no such Preemptible
Transponder is available on the Restoration Satellite, Customer's service shall
not be restored and this Agreement shall terminate at such time.
d. The GE Americom satellite designated GE-5 and currently operated at the
79 ▇.▇. orbital location has been designated as the Restoration Satellite for
Customer's service. GE Americom may, upon seven (7) days' prior written notice,
change the satellite designated as the Restoration Satellite regarding Moveable
Protected Service under this Agreement. Preemptible Transponders on the
Restoration Satellite shall be used on a first-needed, first-served basis. GE
Americom shall have no obligation to provide a Restoration Satellite other than
*** Confidential Treatment Requested
GE-5. If access to Protection Transponders on the Satellite or Preemptible
Transponders on the Restoration Satellite is required for more than one
transponder as a result of a single event or simultaneous events, such access
shall be granted in Contract Order (defined as the opposite order from Reverse
Contract Order).
2. With respect to Fully Protected Service on the GE-4 Satellite:
a. GE Americom shall immediately initiate all reasonable measures,
consistent with protecting the Satellite and all services provided thereon, to
restore as quickly as possible (consistent with GE Americom's policies and
procedures for the restoration of Protected Transponders), Customer's
Transponder should it become a Transponder Failure. Restoration shall be
effected in the following manner and order, on a first-needed, first-served
basis: first, by utilizing any available Replacement Transponder on the
Satellite; and second, if no such Replacement Transponder is available, by using
a Preemptible Transponder on the Satellite, if available. If no such Protection
Transponder is available on the Satellite, Customer's service shall be restored
on the Restoration Satellite (as designated below), subject to and in accordance
with the terms of this Article.
b. After commencement of the GE-4 Term hereunder, if the GE-4 Satellite
becomes a Satellite Failure, or if no Protection Transponder is available under
the circumstances described above, restoration shall be provided on a
Preemptible Transponder on the Restoration Satellite, if available. If service
is restored on the Restoration Satellite, then Customer's service shall change
to Non- Preemptible Service. If Non-Preemptible Service is so provided,
references to the GE-4 Satellite shall be considered to mean the Restoration
Satellite for all purposes of this Agreement; except with respect to service
level (as described above) and except that (i) the technical specifications for
the Restoration Satellite shall be substituted for those specifications in
Attachment A2 and (ii) the MRC specified in Article 2. Payment shall be reduced
by [ *** ]. In the event such Non-Preemptible Service as described in the
previous sentence is provided by GE Americom within the first six (6) months of
Service, (no later than March 31, 2000), there shall be no such reduction to the
MRC. If no such Preemptible Transponder is available on the Restoration
Satellite, Customer's service shall not be restored and this Agreement shall
terminate at such time.
c. The GE Americom satellite designated GE-5 and currently operated at
the 79 ▇.▇. orbital location has been designated as the Restoration Satellite
for Customer's service. GE Americom may, upon seven (7) days' prior written
notice, change the satellite designated as the Restoration Satellite hereunder.
Preemptible Transponders on the Restoration Satellite shall be used on a first-
needed, first-served basis. GE Americom shall have no obligation to provide a
Restoration Satellite other than GE-5. If access to Protection Transponders on
the Satellite or Preemptible Transponders on the Restoration Satellite is
required for more than one transponder as a result of a single event or
simultaneous events, such access shall be granted in Contract Order (defined as
the opposite order from Reverse Contract Order).
3. It is acknowledged by Customer that transponders on the GE-5 satellite
have a nominal bandwidth of 54 MHz. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event
Customer's Service is restored hereunder, Customer shall not be entitled to
receive nominal bandwidth of more than 36 MHz.
4. Customer understands and agrees that the transfer of Service from one
satellite to another, may require a change in transponder assignment including
polarization.
*** Confidential Treatment Requested
C. Term.
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GE-3 Term. The term for Service on the GE-3 satellite provided under this
Agreement (the "GE-3 Service Term") shall commence on November 1, 1999 and shall
end, except as otherwise provided herein, on the earliest of: (1) the End-Of-
Life or Replacement Date of the GE-3 Satellite; (2) the date the GE-3 Satellite
is a Satellite Failure and Service cannot be restored as provided hereunder; (3)
the date the Transponder on which Service is provided hereunder is preempted or
becomes a Transponder Failure, and in either case, cannot be restored, (4) the
date that the assigned transponder on the GE-4 Satellite is declared by GE
Americom to be Commercially Operational and the Service is transferred to the
GE-4 Satellite; (5) in the event the GE-4 Satellite becomes a Launch Failure,
the date that the Ground Spare, if launched, is declared by GE Americom to be
Commercially Operational and the Service is transferred to the Ground Spare, or
(6) October 31, 2006, (the "Projected Termination Date").
In the event that any of the circumstances described in (1), (2), (3), or (6)
above occur prior to the date that the Transponder designated to provide service
to Customer on the GE-4 Satellite becomes Commercially Operational, this
Agreement, shall terminate and GE Americom shall be under no further liability
or obligation to Customer.
GE-4 Term. The term for Service on the GE-4 Satellite provided under this
Agreement (the "GE-4 Service Term"), shall commence, and the GE-3 Service Term
shall end with respect to Service, on the date GE Americom notifies Customer
that the Transponder on the GE-4 Satellite is Commercially Operational (the "GE-
4 Commencement Date").
Service on the GE-4 Satellite and this Agreement shall end, except as otherwise
provided herein, on the earliest of (1) the End-of-Life or Replacement Date of
the GE-4 Satellite; (2) the date the GE-4 Satellite becomes a Satellite Failure
and Service cannot be restored as provided hereunder; (3) the date the
Transponder on which Service is provided hereunder becomes a Transponder Failure
and cannot be restored; or (4) October 31, 2006 (the "Projected Termination
Date").
D. Notices. All notices regarding technical or operational matters requiring
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immediate attention will be given by telephone followed by written notification.
All other notices and requests will be in writing delivered to the address(es)
set forth below or to such other address(es) as the party may designate in
writing.
If to be given to Customer: If to be given to GE Americom:
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, CFO Attn: ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, Director, Satellite Services
SkyCache, Inc. GE American Communications, Inc.
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Four Research Way
Laurel, MD 20707 ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Fax #: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇ Fax #: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Tel #: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇ Tel #: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
cc: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ cc: Manager, Customer Support-Contracts
Fax #: See above Fax #: 609) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Tel #: See above Tel #: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
24 Hour Emergency Telephone # for Technical/Operational Issues:
Tel #:
ARTICLE 2. PAYMENT
A. Monthly Recurring Service Charge. Customer will pay to GE Americom for
--------------------------------
Service a monthly recurring service charge ("MRC") in accordance with the
following schedule:
Period MRC
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[ *** ] [ *** ]
[ *** ] [ *** ]
[ *** ] [ *** ]
[ *** ] [ *** ]
[ *** ] [ *** ]
B. Billing and Payment. Invoices will be issued monthly thirty (30) days in
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advance of the month in which Service is to be provided and are payable on the
first day of such month by wire transfer as per the remittance instructions on
the respective monthly invoice. On payments not received by the due date, GE
Americom will assess until such time as payment is made in full, a late payment
charge of the lesser of (i) one and one-half percent (1.5%) per month compounded
monthly, or (ii) the maximum rate permitted by applicable law. A failure or
delay by GE Americom to send a ▇▇▇▇ will not relieve Customer either of its
obligation to pay on a timely basis for Service or of its obligation to pay late
payment charges in the event of late payment. In addition to any other rights GE
Americom may have under this Agreement, GE Americom may suspend provision of
Service on seventy-two (72) hours notice for failure to pay any sums due to GE
Americom.
C. Taxes and Other Charges. All charges hereunder are exclusive of taxes,
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duties and other fees or charges levied by governmental authority on the Service
or the facilities used to provide the Service. Customer will pay directly or
reimburse GE Americom for all such taxes, duties and other fees or charges.
Letter of Credit. On or before November 1, 1999, Customer will, in order to
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secure performance of its obligations (i) hereunder and (ii) under the separate
Agreement dated on or about the date of this Agreement between Customer and GE
Capital Europe Limited, ("GECEL") (the "GECEL Agreement"), deliver to GE
Americom and GECEL one irrevocable letter of credit for a term of at least [
*** ] months in the amount of [ *** ] in the form attached to the GECEL
Agreement and in identical form as Attachment C to this Agreement ("Letter of
Credit 1") issued by a bank incorporated in the United States of America,
acceptable to GE Americom. Letter of Credit 1 and any renewal or replacement
thereof may be drawn upon by GECEL and/or GE Americom in accordance with its
terms. The proceeds of any drawing shall be applied to the obligations of
Customer (i) hereunder and/or (ii) under the GECEL Agreement, as the case may
be. Failure to provide Letter of Credit 1 or any renewal or
*** Confidential Treatment Requested
replacement thereof by the date required and/or failure to maintain Letter of
Credit 1 or any renewal or replacement thereof throughout the period set out in
the table below shall be treated as a failure by Customer to make a payment due
to GE Americom under this Agreement. It is the intention of the parties that a
letter of credit shall be maintained in effect for the benefit of GECEL and GE
Americom for the amounts and for the terms specified in the table below.
If Letter of Credit 1 or any renewal or replacement thereof is drawn upon,
Customer shall cause the letter of credit then in effect to be renewed or
replaced such that the principal amount of the letter of credit is restored to
the original amount of that letter of credit. Failure to obtain and deliver to
GE Americom a renewal or replacement of a letter of credit as provided in the
preceding sentence within five (5) business days from the date of each such
drawing shall entitle GE Americom, and/or GECEL to draw upon that letter of
credit then in effect and to hold the proceeds as an advance payment. Such
advance payment may be used by GE Americom and/or GECEL as an offset for any
amounts due to GE Americom and/or GECEL at the Projected Termination Date under
either this Agreement or the GECEL Agreement, or, in the event of termination of
this Agreement or the GECEL Agreement prior to their respective Projected
Termination Dates, for any liabilities of Customer arising out of such
termination(s).
A renewal or replacement of Letter of Credit 1 by a new letter of credit
("Letter of Credit 2") for the sum of [ *** ] for an additional term of at
least [ *** ] months shall be delivered by Customer to GE Americom and GECEL
at least forty-five (45) days prior to the expiration of Letter of Credit 1. A
renewal or replacement of Letter of Credit 2 by a further letter of credit
("Letter of Credit 3") for the sum of [ *** ] for an additional term of at
least [ *** ] months shall be delivered by Customer to GE Americom and GECEL
at least forty-five (45) days prior to the expiration of Letter of Credit 2. A
renewal or replacement of Letter of Credit 3 by a further letter of credit
("Letter of Credit 4") for the sum of [ *** ] for an additional term of at
least [ *** ] months shall be delivered by Customer to GE Americom and
GECEL at least forty-five (45) days prior to the expiration of Letter of Credit
3 (GE Americom and GECEL reserve the right to require in their sole discretion
that the term of Letter of Credit 4 be extended until November 30, 2006).
Failure to obtain and deliver to GE Americom and GECEL a renewal or replacement
of any letter of credit at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration date
thereof shall entitle GECEL and/or GE Americom to draw upon the letter of credit
then in effect and to hold the proceeds of such drawing as an advance payment,
to be held and applied by GECEL and/or GE Americom as specified in the preceding
paragraph.
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Letter of Term of Letter of Credit Amount of Letter of Credit (US Dollars)
Credit
number
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1 [ *** ] [ *** ]
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2 [ *** ] [ *** ]
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3 [ *** ] [ *** ]
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4 [ *** ] [ *** ]
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*** Confidential Treatment Requested
ARTICLE 3. CREDITS FOR INTERRUPTIONS
Credits for Interruptions in Service of five (5) minutes or more shall be
granted to Customer as follows:
Credit = (Number of minutes in Interruption/43,200) multiplied by the MRC
The length of an Interruption will be measured from the time GE Americom is
notified by Customer of the Interruption until Service is restored. No credit
will be due, however, if such Interruption is a result of, or attributable in
whole or part to (i) the fault of Customer, any Customer Designee (as defined
below) or any agent or subcontractor of either, or of any third party (ii) the
failure or unavailability of satellites, transponders, facilities, services or
equipment furnished to Customer other than by GE Americom, (iii) sun outages or
rain fade, or (iv) unless otherwise provided herein, suspensions of Service made
in accordance with this Agreement.
Except as otherwise specifically set forth in this Agreement, the
aforementioned credit will be Customer's sole and exclusive remedy for
unavailability of Service and/or failure of Service to meet the Transponder
Performance Specifications.
ARTICLE 4. SERVICE RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Laws and Regulations Governing Service. Construction, launch, location and
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operation of any Satellite utilized hereunder, any Ground Spare, GE Americom's
satellite system and GE Americom's ability to perform are subject to all
applicable laws and regulations, including without limitation, the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and the Rules and Regulations of the
FCC.
B. Use Conditions. Customer will use, and will cause others authorized or
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permitted by Customer to access Service ("Customer's Designees") to use, Service
in accordance with (i) all applicable laws and (ii) the conditions of use (as
such may, upon notice, be amended for technical or operational reasons)
contained in the Commercial Operations Systems User's Guide set forth in
Attachment B ("User's Guide"). Customer will not use, and will cause Customer's
Designees not to use, Service for any unlawful purpose, including violation of
laws governing the content of material transmitted using Service. If Customer's
or Customer's Designees' non-compliance with the preceding two (2) sentences
causes, or other circumstances arise which cause, interference to or threaten
the availability or operation of the services or facilities provided by GE
Americom, or if Customer's or Customer's Designees' use of Service may
reasonably result in the institution of criminal proceedings, or administrative
proceedings that may result in sanctions or other non-monetary remedies, against
GE Americom, General Electric Company, or any affiliates of either entity, GE
Americom may take actions (including suspension and/or restriction of Service)
it reasonably believes necessary to ensure Customer's compliance with the User's
Guide or GE Americom's compliance with law.
C. Third Party Use. Customer shall provide GE Americom with at least one (1)
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business day prior notice of any third party use of Service and of the identity
of any such third party. Should Customer resell any Service provided hereunder
or otherwise permit use of such Service by any third party or parties, Customer
shall be a guarantor of compliance by each such third party with all the terms
of this Agreement and any breach by any such third party shall be deemed to have
been committed by Customer. GE Americom reserves the right to charge Customer a
fee for any technical consultation, scheduling or other support services
provided to end-users using the Service provided Customer under this Agreement.
D. Long-Term Resale. If Customer proposes to resell use of the entire capacity
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of Service provided hereunder to a third party for a term of more than three (3)
months, Customer shall first provide GE Americom with at least forty-five (45)
days' prior written notice of such proposed resale. Within thirty (30) days
after receipt of such notice, GE Americom, may, by written notice to Customer,
elect to terminate this Agreement, whereupon Customer shall have a period of
thirty (30) days from receipt of such notice, within which period Customer may
elect to (i) accept termination and notify GE Americom of the date on which such
termination shall be effective (which date shall be not less than sixty (60)
days and not more than one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of such
notice from Customer to GE Americom) or (ii) cancel the proposed resale and
continue this Agreement in effect. If Customer does not elect (I) or (ii) above
within the applicable time limit, Customer shall be deemed to have elected
clause (ii).
ARTICLE 5. OPERATIONAL MATTERS
A. Service Access. Customer is responsible for providing, operating and
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maintaining the equipment necessary to access the Satellite and Service.
Customer at its expense shall provide GE Americom with any descrambling or
decoding devices that may be required for signal monitoring. At a mutually
agreed time, and prior to Customer transmitting from its earth station(s),
Customer will demonstrate to GE Americom's designated Technical Operations
Center that its earth station(s) comply with the satellite access specifications
contained in the User's Guide.
B. Action to Protect Satellite. GE Americom shall have sole and exclusive
---------------------------
control of operation of the Satellite. If circumstances occur which in GE
Americom's reasonable judgment pose a threat to the stable operation of the
Satellite, GE Americom shall have the right to take action it reasonably
believes necessary to protect the Satellite, including discontinuance or
suspension of operation of the Satellite, the Transponder(s) or any other
transponder, without any liability to Customer, except that Customer may
,receive a credit computed as provided in Article 3 hereunder. GE Americom shall
give Customer as much notice as practical under the circumstances of any such
discontinuance or suspension. If it becomes necessary to discontinue or suspend
service on one or more transponders on the Satellite, and operational
circumstances allow GE Americom to select the transponder or transponders to be
discontinued or suspended, GE Americom will make such selection in Reverse
Contract Order, without distinction for purposes of this Section, between the
Satellite's C-band and Ku-band payloads.
ARTICLE 6. INDEMNIFICATION
Customer will indemnify and hold harmless GE Americom, General Electric
Company, and any affiliates of either entity, from and against all loss,
liability, cost, expenses and damages of any nature (including, but not limited
to, attorney fees and to the extent permitted by law, any fines and penalties)
based on third party claims (including those of Customer's Designees) arising
out of, resulting from or in connection with any failure to provide Service or
any use of Service provided hereunder.
ARTICLE 7. WARRANTY DISCLAIMER; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
A. Warranty Disclaimer. No warranties, express, -implied, or statutory,
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including any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose,
apply to Service provided hereunder or the equipment and facilities used to
provide Service. The conveying by GE Americom of proprietary information or
other information to Customer shall in no way alter this disclaimer.
B. Limitation of Liability. As a material condition of entering into this
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Agreement at the price specified herein, and in regard to any and all causes
arising out of or relating to this Agreement, including but not limited to
claims of negligence, breach of contract or warranty, failure of a remedy to
accomplish its essential purpose or otherwise, Customer agrees that, GE
Americom's, General Electric Company's and their affiliates' entire liability
shall not exceed in the aggregate, the greater of (i) the MRC paid by Customer
to GE Americom for Service in the month preceding the event that is the cause of
liability plus any credits or refunds that are due under this Agreement, or (ii)
[ *** ].
*** Confidential Treatment Requested
Customer agrees that in no event shall GE Americom General Electric
Company, or affiliated companies of either entity or the manufacturer or launch
service provider of the Satellite be liable for (i) any indirect, incidental,
consequential, punitive, special or other similar damages (whether in contract,
tort [including negligence], strict liability or under any other theory of
liability), including but not limited to, loss of actual or anticipated revenues
or profits, loss of business, customers or good will, or damages and expenses
arising out of third party claims or (ii) any damages of whatever kind, in the
event the GE-3 Satellite is positioned at an orbital location other than as
specified in Article 1.A, or the GE-4 Satellite or the Ground Spare, or any
other satellite described herein, is not constructed, is delayed in
construction, is delayed in launch, is delayed in operation or is positioned at
an orbital location other than as specified in Article 1. The foregoing
exclusions shall apply even if such party(s) has been advised of the possibility
of such damages.
C. Launch Services. Customer shall have no right of action against the launch
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services contractor, its contractors or subcontractors, parties involved in
launch activities, other third party customers of the launch services contractor
using the same launch, or their respective associates (collectively, the "Launch
Third Parties"), for damages for bodily harm (including death) and damage to
property suffered by Customer or Customer's associates resulting from the
actions of any of the Launch Third Parties in connection with the launch of any
satellite. Customer further irrevocably agrees to, and to cause Customer's
associates to agree, to a no-fault, no subrogation waiver of liability, and
waives the right to make any claims or to instigate any proceedings whether
judicial, arbitral, administrative or otherwise, in connection with such claims,
against any of the Launch Third Parties, in each case for damages for bodily
harm (including death) and damage to property suffered by Customer or Customer's
associates resulting from the actions of any of the Launch Third Parties in
connection with the launch of any satellite. In the event that one or more
associates of Customer (in their capacities as such) shall proceed against any
of the Launch Third Parties as a result of bodily harm (including death) or
property damage suffered by Customer or Customer's Associates and caused by any
of the Launch Third Parties resulting from the actions of any of the Launch
Third Parties in connection with the launch, Customer shall indemnify, hold
harmless, dispose of any such claim and defend, when not contrary to the
governing rules of procedures where the action takes place, each of the Launch
Third Parties from any loss, damage, liability or expense, including the fees,
expenses and disbursements of counsel, on account of such damage, injury or
death, and shall pay all costs and expenses and satisfy all judgments which may
be incurred by or rendered against any of the Launch Third Parties in connection
with such proceeding. As used herein, the term "associates" means any
individuals, corporations, associations or other legal entities which act,
directly or indirectly, on behalf of or at the direction of another entity to
fulfill the obligations of such other entity, including such other entity's
employees, suppliers and subcontractors (when so acting).
ARTICLE 8. CONFIDENTIALITY AND NONDISCLOSURE
A. Certain Information Regarding Service. Customer hereby agrees not to
-------------------------------------
disclose to third parties (without the prior written consent of GE Americom) the
material terms and conditions of this Agreement (including but not limited to
the prices, payment terms, schedules, protection arrangements, and restoration
provisions thereof) and all information provided to Customer related to the
design and performance characteristics of the Satellite, and any subsystems or
components thereof, including the Transponder.
B. Proprietary Information. To the extent that either party discloses to the
-----------------------
other any other information which it considers proprietary, said party shall
identify such information as proprietary when disclosing it to the other party
by marking it clearly and conspicuously as proprietary information. Any
proprietary disclosure to either party, if made orally, shall be promptly
confirmed in writing and identified as proprietary information, if the
disclosing party wishes to keep such information proprietary under this
Agreement. Any such information disclosed under this Agreement shall be used by
the recipient thereof only in its performance under this Agreement.
Neither party shall be liable for the inadvertent or accidental disclosure
of such information marked as proprietary, if such disclosure occurs despite the
exercising of the same degree of care as the receiving party normally takes to
preserve and safeguard its own proprietary information (but not less than
reasonable care) or if such information (i) is or becomes lawfully available to
the public from a source other than the receiving party before or
during the period of this Agreement; (ii) is released in writing by the
disclosing party without restrictions; (iii) is lawfully obtained by the
receiving party from a third party or parties without obligation of
confidentiality; (iv) is lawfully known by the receiving party prior to such
disclosure; or (v) is at any time lawfully developed by the receiving party
completely independently of any such disclosure or disclosures from the
disclosing party.
In addition, neither party shall be liable for the disclosure of any
proprietary information which it receives under this Agreement pursuant to
judicial action or decree, or pursuant to any requirement of any Government or
any agency or department thereof, having jurisdiction over such party, provided,
--------
that in the reasonable opinion of counsel for such party such disclosure is
----
required, and provided further that such party to the extent reasonably
practical shall have given the other party notice prior to such disclosure.
ARTICLE 9. TERMINATION
A. Termination. In addition to any rights of termination provided in other
-----------
Articles of this Agreement, either party may terminate this Agreement by giving
the other party written notice thereof in the event: (i) the other party
materially breaches this Agreement and fails to cure such breach within thirty
(30) days after receipt of written notice thereof (except that, if Customer
fails to pay amounts due hereunder, such cure period shall be reduced to five
(5) business days); or (ii) the other party is unable to perform its obligations
as a result of its becoming insolvent or the subject of insolvency proceedings,
including without limitation, if the other party is judicially declared
insolvent or bankrupt, or if any assignment is made of the other party's
property for the benefit of its creditors or if a receiver, conservator, trustee
in bankruptcy or other similar officer is appointed by a court of competent
jurisdiction to take charge of all or any substantial part of the other party's
property, or if a petition is filed by or against the other party under any
provision of the Bankruptcy Act now or hereafter enacted, and such proceeding is
not dismissed within sixty (60) days after filing; or (iii) an Interruption
continues for thirty (30) consecutive days and the sole cause of the
Interruption is a force majeure event.
B. Refunds. In the event of the end of termination by Customer pursuant to this
-------
Agreement, or in the event of termination by GE Americom pursuant to Article
9.A.(iii) above, Article 4.D. or Article 10.I, GE Americom shall refund any
portion of amounts paid by Customer to GE Americom which relate to Service not
provided by GE Americom plus any credits that may be due to Customer.
C. Termination Liability. In the event of termination by GE Americom for
---------------------
reasons other than those reasons for termination by GE Americom set forth in
Article 9.B., GE Americom shall be entitled to retain all amounts paid by
Customer to GE Americom hereunder, and any credits that may be due to Customer
shall be forfeited. In addition, GE Americom in its sole discretion may either
elect to (i) pursue any rights and remedies it may have at law, in equity or
otherwise or (ii) recover from Customer an amount equal to the net present value
(as of the date of such termination) of the remaining unpaid Service charges,
computed as if this Agreement remained in effect until the Projected Termination
Date, utilizing a discount rate of 8% per annum, plus late charges on such
amount from the date of termination until payment in full ("Termination Value").
If GE Americom elects (ii) above and recovers such amount, GE Americom agrees to
use reasonable efforts to obtain a qualified replacement customer(s), but shall
not be required to obtain a customer(s) for service on the surrendered
Transponder(s) before obtaining a customer(s) for any other unused transponder,
to obtain any particular customer(s) or to set any particular minimum price in
connection with such service. In the case GE Americom does obtain a qualified
replacement customer(s), GE Americom thereafter shall pay to Customer ninety-
five percent (95%) of the gross proceeds received by GE Americom either (x) from
the provision of service to such replacement customer(s) using the
Transponder(s) prior to the Projected Termination Date, or (y) from the sale of
the Transponder(s) to such replacement customer(s); provided, that in no event
shall such payment exceed the Termination Value paid by Customer.
D. Inability to Regain Transponder. If upon expiration or termination of this
-------------------------------
Agreement for any reason by either party, GE Americom is unable to regain the
use of all, or any part of, the Transponder(s) free and clear of any claims
(including, but not limited to, claims of a debtor in bankruptcy) or liens
arising as a result of the use of the Transponder(s) by Customer or Customer's
Designees, then in addition to all other remedies available to GE Americom
pursuant to this Agreement, at law, in equity, or otherwise, Customer shall be
obligated, without regard to any such termination or expiration, to continue to
pay GE Americom the payments provided for in Article 2.
ARTICLE 10. GENERAL PROVISIONS
A. Force Majeure. Neither party will be liable to the other by reason of any
-------------
failure in performance of this Agreement if the failure arises out of acts of
God, acts of the other party, acts of government authority, strikes or other
labor disturbances, or any other cause beyond the reasonable control of that
party.
B. No Implied License. The provision of services or the conveying of any
------------------
information under this Agreement shall not convey any license by implication,
estoppel or otherwise, under any patents or other intellectual property rights
of Customer or GE Americom, General Electric Company, and their affiliates,
contractors and vendors.
C. No Third Party Rights; No Fiduciary Relationship. Nothing contained in this
------------------------------------------------
Agreement shall be deemed or construed by the parties or by any third party to
create any rights, obligations or interests in third parties; or to create the
relationship of principal and agent, partnership or joint venture or any other
fiduciary relationship or association between the parties.
D. No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative. No waiver, alteration, or modification of
------------------------------
any of the terms of this Agreement will be binding unless in writing and signed
by both parties. All remedies and rights hereunder and those available in law or
in equity shall be cumulative, and the exercise by a party of any such right or
remedy shall not preclude the exercise of any other right or remedy available
under this Agreement in law or in equity.
E. Costs and Attorneys' Fees. In addition to all other amounts payable under
-------------------------
this Agreement, GE Americom shall be entitled to recover from Customer (i) costs
of collection of any such amounts, including reasonable attorneys' fees and
disbursements and (ii) costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees and
disbursements, incurred in seeking to prevent use of Service contrary to the
terms of this Agreement.
F. Governing Law and Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be construed and
------------------------------
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey, excluding its
conflicts of law rules. The parties hereby consent to and submit to the
exclusive jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located in the State of
New Jersey, and any action or suit under this Agreement shall be brought by the
parties in any federal or state court established or sitting in the State of New
Jersey with appropriate jurisdiction over the subject matter. The parties shall
not raise in connection therewith, and hereby waive, any defenses based upon
venue, inconvenience of the forum, lack of personal jurisdiction, sufficiency of
service of process (as long as notice of such action or suit is furnished in
accordance with Article 1.D. hereunder) or the like in any such action or suit.
G. Statute of Limitations; Jury Waiver. Any action of any kind by either party
-----------------------------------
arising out of this Agreement must be commenced within two (2) years from the
date the right, claim, demand or cause of action shall first arise. Each of the
parties hereby irrevocably waives (and agrees not to assert) the right to trial
by jury in any such action.
H. Headings; Severability; Customer Purchase Orders. All titles and headings in
------------------------------------------------
this Agreement are for reference purposes only; they will not affect the meaning
or construction of the terms of this Agreement. If any part or parts of this
Agreement are held to be invalid, the remaining parts of the Agreement will
continue to be valid and enforceable. Customer agrees that any purchase order or
other similar document that Customer may issue in connection with this Agreement
will be for Customer's internal purposes only and, therefore, even if
acknowledged by GE Americom, will not in any way add to, subtract from, or in
any way modify the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
I. Assignment. Customer shall not assign or transfer its rights or obligations
----------
under this Agreement without GE Americom's prior written consent, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding the foregoing, GE Americom
may elect, in lieu of consenting to an assignment, to terminate this Agreement.
If GE Americom elects to terminate this. Agreement in accordance with the
preceding sentence, it shall so notify Customer within thirty (30) days after
receipt of the request for consent to assignment. Immediately thereafter,
Customer shall have a period of thirty (30) days within which to (i) accept
termination and notify GE Americom of the date on which such termination shall
be effective (which date shall be not less than sixty (60) days nor more than
one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of such notice from Customer to GE
Americom) or (ii) withdraw the request for consent to assignment and continue
this Agreement in effect. If Customer does not exercise one of the options
stated in the immediately preceding sentence within the applicable time limit,
Customer shall be deemed to have exercised the option stated in clause (ii) of
such sentence.
ARTICLE 11. DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement:
A. "Business Preemptible Service" or "Business Preemptible Transponder" means
a satellite service or transponder that is not entitled to restoration in the
event it becomes a Transponder Failure and may be preempted at any time to
restore (1) a satellite failure, (2) a Protected Service or Protected
Transponder that becomes a transponder failure, (3) any other service or
transponder (including a Preemptible Service or Preemptible Transponder)
experiencing technical difficulties or interference, or (4) other service
offerings of GE Americom or any of its affiliates, including but not limited to,
mass move protection, construction and launch delay protection and launch
failure protection. In addition, such Business Preemptible Service or Business
Preemptible Transponder may be preempted for any other reason (including but not
limited to, GE Americom's desire to provide service on such Transponder to
another customer) upon five (5) business days notice.
B. "Commercially Operational" means a satellite or a transponder that is
capable of carrying communications traffic within the parameters described in
the Transponder Performance Specifications, and, in the case of a transponder,
all rights of third parties to use a corresponding transponder on a predecessor
satellite at the same orbital location have expired. For purposes of this
definition, a "corresponding transponder" with respect to a specified
transponder on the GE-4 Satellite means a transponder on a predecessor satellite
the operation of which would interfere with operation of the specified
transponder on the GE-4 Satellite.
C. "End-of-Life" means the date on which, in GE Americom's reasonable judgment,
a satellite should be taken out of service because of insufficient fuel.
D. "Failed Satellite" or "Satellite Failure" means a satellite:
1. on which one or more of the basic subsystems fail, rendering the use
of the satellite for its intended purposes impractical, as determined
by GE Americom in its reasonable business judgment, or on which more
than one-half of the transponders on the C-band payload or the Ku-band
payload are transponder failures; and
2. that GE Americom has declared a failure. For purposes of this
definition, a hybrid satellite with both C-band and Ku-band payloads
shall be treated, at GE Americom's option, either (i) as a single
satellite or (ii) as though the C-band and Ku-band payloads were
located on separate satellites.
E. "Failed Transponder" or "Transponder Failure" means, with respect to any
Transponder used to provide service to Customer under this Agreement, any of the
following events:
1. such Transponder fails to meet the Transponder Performance
Specifications in any material respect for any period of five (5)
consecutive days;
2. twenty (20) or more creditable Interruptions of fifteen (15) minutes
or more in duration shall occur within any ninety (90) consecutive
days; or
3. such Transponder shall fail to meet the Transponder Performance
Specifications in any material respect for any period of time under
circumstances that make it clearly ascertainable or predictable, based
on satellite industry engineering standards, that any failure set
forth in Paragraphs 1) or 2) above will occur.
For purpose of this definition, measurement of periods of failure hereunder
shall commence when Customer has vacated its signal to permit verification of
the existence of the failure by GE Americom.
F. "Fully Protected Service" or "Fully Protected Transponder" means a satellite
service or a transponder that may not be preempted to restore another service or
transponder, and if restoration thereof is needed as a result of a satellite
failure, or as a result of a transponder failure under circumstances in which no
Protection Transponder is available on the satellite on which such satellite
service or transponder is located, is entitled to restoration, subject to
availability of facilities and to the conditions of the applicable contract, on
another satellite.
G. "Ground Spare" means the second satellite of substantially similar design as
the Satellite to be constructed for the purpose of providing protection against
a Launch Failure of the Satellite.
H. "Interruption" means any period during which a Transponder fails to meet the
Transponder Performance Specifications and such circumstances preclude the use
of the Transponder for its intended purpose.
I. "Launch Failure" means a satellite failure or transponder failure which
occurs after intentional ignition of the launch vehicle and before the satellite
becomes Commercially Operational.
J. "Moveable Protected Service" or "Moveable Protected Transponder" means a
satellite service or transponder that is entitled to the same protection as a
Fully Protected Service or Fully Protected Transponder, as the case may be,
except that such service or transponder may be preempted to restore a satellite
failure of the GE-2 satellite.
K. "Non-Preemptible Service" or "Non-Preemptible Transponder" means a satellite
service or a transponder on which such service is provided that may not be
preempted to restore another service or transponder and that is not itself
entitled to be restored by preempting a Preemptible Service.
1) "Preemptible Service" or "Preemptible Transponder" means a satellite service
or transponder that is not entitled to restoration in the event it becomes a
Transponder Failure and may be preempted at any time to restore (1) a satellite
failure, (2) a Protected Service or Protected Transponder that becomes a
transponder failure, or (3) other service offerings of GE Americom or any of its
affiliates, including but not limited to, mass move protection, construction and
launch delay protection and launch failure protection.
J. "Protected Service" or "Protected Transponder" means a service or
transponder that is entitled to preempt a Preemptible Service or Preemptible
Transponder.
K. "Protection Transponder" means a Replacement Transponder or Preemptible
Transponder used to restore a Protected Service.
L. "Replacement Date" means the date on which a successor satellite to the
Satellite or to the Ku-band payload of the Satellite is made capable of carrying
communications traffic at the orbital location to which the Satellite is
assigned. Unless GE Americom commits to continue to provide service pursuant to
this Agreement on the successor satellite, such Replacement Date shall not occur
prior to twelve (12) months before GE Americom's good faith estimate of the End-
of-Life of the Satellite.
M. "Replacement Transponder" means a spare transponder amplifier and its
associated components, which is accessible for purposes of providing restoration
and which is capable of carrying communications traffic within the parameters as
described in the transponder performance specifications for the transponder to
be restored.
N. "Reverse Contract Order" means, as to each service or transponder on the
Satellite, in order from the latest date on which a binding agreement for the
taking of such service has been executed by both a customer and GE Americom, to
the earliest such date. If Reverse Contract Order is to be determined among more
than one class of service, first in order from the latest such date to the
earliest such date among Business Preemptible Services, second in such order
among Preemptible Services, third in such order among Non-Preemptible Services,
fourth in such order among Transponder Protected Services and last in such order
among Fully Protected Services. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any service being
provided to the United States government or any department or agency thereof,
whether through a prime contract or a subcontract, shall be deemed to have an
earlier date of binding agreement than Customer hereunder.
O. "Satellite" means, as applicable, the communications spacecraft designated
▇▇-▇, ▇▇-▇ (or the Ground Spare or Restoration Satellite), or GE-5, as the case
may be. When used in the lower case, "satellite" means a domestic communications
satellite operating in Ku-band.
P. "Transponder" means a Ku-band radio frequency transmission channel on the
Satellite, having a nominal bandwidth of 36 MHz, used to provide service to
Customer pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Customer acknowledges and
agrees that due to circumstances including but not limited to the
characteristics of Customer's traffic, Customer's ground segment configuration,
and the characteristics of traffic on cross polarized transponders on the
Satellite and of carriers on satellites in proximity to the Satellite, the
entire 36 MHz of the Transponder may not be usable by Customer for the operation
of all types of carriers. When used in the lower case, "transponder" means a Ku-
band radio frequency transmission channel on a communications satellite.
This Agreement contains the complete and exclusive understanding of the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior
negotiations and agreements between the parties with respect thereto. To the
extent that any Attachment may be inconsistent with the text of the Agreement,
the text of the Agreement shall control.
Skycache, Inc. GE American Communications, Inc.,
as agent for GE Capital Europe Limited
By:/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ By:/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------- --------------------------------------
(Signature) (Signature)
Name:▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Name:▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
-------------------- ------------------------------------
(Typed or Printed Name) (Typed or Printed Name)
Title:CFO Title:SVP, Global Satellite Svcs
------------------- -----------------------------------
Date:11/1/99 Date:11/2/99
-------------------- ------------------------------------
ATTACHMENT A1
TRANSPONDER PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS
--------------------------------------
The following technical specifications* will be met by Ku-band Transponders on
GE-3, as measured at GE Americom's control stations in Vernon Valley, New Jersey
and South Mountain, California.
DOWNLINK UPLINK**
LOCATION EIRP (dBW) FLUX TO SATURATE (dBW/m2)
-------- ---------- -------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇ Valley, NJ 46.0 -85.0
South Mountain, CA 46.0 -85.0
**(with Flux Control Attenuator set to 6 dB)
In addition, cross-polarization isolation (indicating the maximum level that a
signal in the corresponding cross-polarized transponder will appear as an
interfering carrier in the desired transponder) will be a minimum of 30 dB, as
measured at either South Mountain or ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Valley for the same flux control
attenuator setting in both transponders. This includes the contributions of the
spacecraft and the antennas at either location.
*Measurement accuracy is +2.0 dB. For example, a value measured at ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Valley
greater than 44.0 dBW, shall constitute compliance with the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Valley EIRP
specification. A flux to saturate value more sensitive than -83 dBW/m2
measured at ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Valley shall constitute compliance with the Vernon Valley
FTS specification.
ATTACHMENT A2
TRANSPONDER PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS
--------------------------------------
The following technical specifications* will be met by Ku-band Transponders on
GE-4, as measured at GE Americom's control stations in Vernon Valley, New Jersey
and South Mountain, California.
DOWNLINK UPLINK**
LOCATION EIRP (dBW) FLUX TO SATURATE (dBW/m2)
-------- ---------- -------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇ Valley, NJ 46.0 -85.0
South Mountain, CA 45.0 -85.0
**(with Flux Control Attenuator set to 6 dB)
In addition, cross-polarization isolation (indicating the maximum level that a
signal in the corresponding cross-polarized transponder will appear as an
interfering carrier in the desired transponder) will be a minimum of 30 dB, as
measured at either South Mountain or ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Valley for the same flux control
attenuator setting in both transponders. This includes the contributions of the
spacecraft and the antennas at either location.
*Measurement accuracy is +2.0 dB. For example, a value measured at ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Valley
greater than 44.0 dBW, shall constitute compliance with the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Valley EIRP
specification. A flux to saturate value more sensitive than -83 dBW/m2
measured at ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Valley shall constitute compliance with the Vernon Valley
FTS specification.
4
ATTACHMENT B
GE AMERICAN COMMUNICATIONS
COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS
SYSTEMS USERS GUIDE
JANUARY Y2K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This guide supersedes
COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS SYSTEM USERS GUIDE
NOVEMBER 1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
1. Scope 1
2. Applicable Documents 1
3. Business Interface 1
4. Technical Operations Interface 1
5. Technical Operation Parameters 2
6. Earth Station Requirements 2
7. Box Centers and Antenna Alignments 4
8. Spacecraft Performance 4
9. Spacecraft Access 4
10. Single Channel Per Carrier (SCPC) Traffic 6
11. Spacecraft Reconfiguration 7
12. Good Nights 7
13. Trouble Reporting 7
Appendix A - GE Americom Transmission Standards 9
Figure 1 - ▇-▇, ▇-▇, ▇-▇, ▇▇-▇ & ▇▇-▇ ▇-▇▇▇▇ Frequency Plan 10
Figure 2 - C-1, GE-1 and ▇▇-▇ ▇-▇▇▇▇ Frequency Plan 11
Figure 3 - GE-1 & GE-3 Ku-band Frequency Plan 12
Figure 4 - GE-4 Ku-band Frequency Plan 13
Figure 5 - GE-2 Ku-band Frequency Plan 14
Figure 6 - K-2 Frequency Plan 15
Figure 7 - GE-5 Frequency Plan 16
Figure 8 - Full Transponder Video Transmission ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇ - ▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇-▇▇▇▇ Half Transponder Video Transmission
Parameters 18
i
Page
----
Appendix B - GSTAR Transmission Standards 19
Figure 1 - GSTAR 4 Frequency Plan 20
Figure 2 - GSTAR-4 Video Transmission ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇ - ▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇-▇▇▇▇ Half Transponder Video Transmission
Parameters 22
Appendix C - GE Americom Spacecraft Beacon Frequencies 23
GE Americom Summary 24
ii
1. Scope
-----
This document outlines the technical requirements and procedures for use of
the spacecraft operated by GE Americom. The GE Spacecraft offer excellent
performance; however, the users must adhere to Americom technical standards
in order to insure optimum performance for themselves and other users.
2. Applicable Documents
--------------------
The document listed below forms a part of this document to the extent
specified herein:
FCC Rules and Regulations, Part 25, Satellite Communication, paragraph
#209, "Antenna Performance Standards."
3. Business Interface
------------------
Arrangements for full-time service on or purchase of full or partial
transponders on Americom's satellites should be made through GE Americom's
Headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey:
. Broadcast, Cable and Business Services (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
. Communications Services (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Arrangements for Video transmission on a part-time or occasional use can be
made through the Customer Service Center also located at GE Americom's
Headquarters:
. Nationwide (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇ or (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇ (SNG Users)
. Facsimile (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
. Telex 239811
. Princeton, New Jersey (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
4. Technical Operations Interface
------------------------------
The primary technical operations interface for spacecraft users is the GE
Americom Technical Operations Center (TOC) located in ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Valley, New
Jersey:
. Nationwide (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
. Vernon Valley, New Jersey (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
. Facsimile (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Checking of cross-polarization isolation and transmission parameters will
be conducted by either the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Valley TOC or GE Americom's South
Mountain Earth Station after access is cleared.
1
The acquisition of the GSTAR and Spacenet fleet has provided GE Americom
with additional spacecraft resources and additional TOC facilities. The
▇▇▇▇▇▇ Valley TOC will remain as the primary technical operations center
for most spacecraft users. For those users on ▇▇-▇, ▇▇-▇, GSTAR 4 and GE-5
or K-2 spacecraft access should be coordinated through GE Americom's TOC
located in Woodbine, Maryland:
. Nationwide (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
. Woodbine, Maryland (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
. Facsimile (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
5. Technical Operation Parameters
------------------------------
Appendix A contains the standard parameters for video and audio
transmission using the Satcom spacecraft. Appendix B contains the standard
parameters for using the GSTAR spacecraft. If a customer requires
transmission parameters other than those specified in Appendix A or
Appendix B, approval must be obtained from GE Americom. The proposed
transmission parameters will be reviewed to assure that they will not cause
unacceptable degradation or interference to other traffic on the spacecraft
or on other spacecraft.
6. Earth Station Requirements
--------------------------
Earth stations accessing the GE Americom spacecraft shall meet the
requirements contained in the following subparagraphs. GE Americom reserves
the right to physically inspect the earth station site to insure compliance
with these requirements.
a) The earth station shall be under the control of trained technicians at
all times. The telephone number of the control point for the earth
station shall be on file with GE Americom's TOC. This control point
shall have the ability and the authority without reference to other
management to cease transmission at any time if directed by GE
Americom.
b) The earth station antenna shall conform to the FCC sidelobe pattern of:
1(Degree) Less than (theta) Less than or equal to 7(Degree),
29 - 25 log (theta), dBi
7(Degree) Less than (theta) Less than or equal to 9.2(Degree),
+ 8 dBi
9.2(Degree) Less than (theta) Less than or equal to 48(Degree),
32 - 25 log (theta) dBi
48(Degree) Less than (theta) Less than or equal to 180(Degree),
-10 dBi
c) Antennas not meeting this pattern shall be identified to the TOC and
conditionally accepted on a case-by-case basis.
The system polarization isolation as measured by GE Americom shall be
29 dB (transmit antenna, spacecraft, receive antenna) or better. The
uplink facilities shall be capable of maintaining this minimum
isolation at all times. Periodic checks will be made by GE Americom to
insure compliance.
d) The maximum uplink power from a customer's earth station shall be
monitored and approved by GE Americom. Only sufficient power to
saturate the TWTA transponders or
2
establish the optimum operating point for SSPA transponders shall be
used. This may be 77 dBW or less, but in no event greater than 84 dBW
in the contiguous 48 states for nine meter or larger antennas, and no
more than 26.5 dBW into the feed for antennas smaller than 9 meters for
C-band and 27 dBW into the feed for Ku-band antennas smaller than 5
meters.
e) For Ku-band transponders, saturation shall only be determined with the
transponder in LINEAR mode. For Ku-band half transponder operation, the
optimum backed-off operating point must be accurately determined to
insure equal power sharing between customers and an acceptable level of
intermodulation products. Section 9 contains the method for determining
the operating point for half transponder operation. Once determined,
half transponder customers shall not adjust power without coordination
with the TOC.
f) The TOC will assist the customer in assuring correct power settings.
Once determined, the customer shall keep a record in the station log of
the power settings for each transponder and type of service. If the
station configuration is changed in any way that affects uplink EIRP,
the TOC shall be contacted and arrangements made for GE Americom to
work with the customer and reestablish operating parameters.
g) An Energy Dispersal Frequency (EDF) shall be applied to TV carriers so
that a 30 Hz triangular baseband waveform causes a 1 MHz peak RF
deviation when no video baseband signal is present.
h) Modulators with offset center frequencies which result in an
asymmetrical distribution of power around the assigned center frequency
shall not be used in the GE Americom system; i.e. SA7550 Exciter in
SYNC REF AFC MODE.
i) GE Americom recommends that all customers transmitting television
programming include Vertical Interval Test Signals (VITS) as part of
their transmissions. It is recommended that an FCC or NTC Combination
and an FCC or NTC Composite be transmitted. This allows GE Americom to
assist customers in the event of transmission problems. The TOC has
video and audio measurement capability on all transponders in the GE
Americom system.
j) The TOC requires the capability to monitor unscrambled video of all GE
Americom customers. For occasional or short-term customers, the TOC
will provide the address to be authorized by the customer for either
VideoCipher or B-MAC descramblers. For Occasional Video "Until Further
Notice" (UFN) customers transmitting more than 20 hours a week in the
GE Americom system, it is recommended that the customer shall supply a
descrambler to the TOC at no cost to GE Americom.
k) Customers having transportable earth stations must meet all of the
requirements noted above. In addition, the customer must supply to the
TOC the station FCC authorization ID, date of grant and antenna model
and manufacturer.
l) In accordance with Section 25.308 of FCC Rules, all satellite video
uplink transmissions must be equipped with an automatic transmitter
identification system (ATIS). Uplink equipment manufactured on or after
----------------------------------------
March 1, 1991 shall use the FCC-specified subcarrier based ATIS
-------------
approach. The ATIS signal shall be a separate subcarrier which is
3
automatically activated whenever any RF emissions occur. The encoder
shall be integrated into the uplink transmitter chain in a method that
cannot easily be defeated. Uplink equipment manufactured before March
------------------------------------------
1, 1991 will be permitted to use either the FCC subcarrier based ATIS
-------
or the ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇ vertical blanking interval ATIS used by some uplinkers
prior to March 1, 1991.
Video uplink transmissions not having automatic transmitter
identification will be reported to the FCC.
7. Box Centers and Antenna Alignments
----------------------------------
All geosynchronous spacecraft move about in latitude, longitude and
altitude within their defined stationkeeping box. GE Americom maintains its
C-band spacecraft within plus or minus 0.1(Degree) (+/-45 miles) in
latitude and longitude and the Ku-band spacecraft within plus or minus
0.05(Degree). In practice, they are actually maintained much closer than
this. Periodically, the spacecraft is exactly (+/-.005(Degree)) in the
center of the box. The dates and times of these box centers are announced
on a recording:
. Nationwide (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
These box center opportunities should be utilized to align non-tracking
earth station antennas on a particular spacecraft in azimuth, elevation and
polarization. A spectrum analyzer or other device responding to signal
levels can be used to peak up the antenna. This assures optimum system
performance no matter where the spacecraft is in the box. Once correctly
adjusted and tightened down, the antenna should not have to be adjusted
again in azimuth and elevation unless it is moved or damaged. Polarization
may have to be optimized by the TOC when a carrier is first transmitted.
8. Spacecraft Performance
----------------------
Each of the Satcom spacecraft have slightly different geographical coverage
and uplink and downlink performance. For information on specific
transponder performance (EIRP/FTOP) or geographic coverage information,
contact GE Americom's Manager, Customer and Technical Services at (609)
987-4191.
9. Spacecraft Access
-----------------
Access to a GE Americom satellite transponder is arranged by calling the
Technical Operations Center (TOC). The TOC must determine that the request
is valid and authorized.
The validation process will be expedited for Occasional Video Service by
using the Confirmation Number. For Occasional Video Services the
Confirmation Number is provided by the Customer Service Center at the time
the order for service is placed. The Confirmation Number, which is also
used for billing purposes, can be obtained by calling the Customer Service
Center at (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇ or (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇ (SNG Users).
The procedure for accessing a GE Americom spacecraft is as follows:
4
a) The earth station shall be aligned on the spacecraft and the uplink
equipment aligned on the correct frequency and polarization in
accordance with the requirements of Appendix A or Appendix B.
b) The customer earth station shall call the TOC, identify their company
name and transmit city location and request access to the particular
spacecraft and transponder. The TOC will determine that the request is
valid for the customer.
c) The TOC will monitor the downlink of the transponder being accessed and
direct the customer to transmit a CW clean (no modulation) carrier.
When the carrier is up, the TOC will verify the power operating point
and polarization isolation. If they are not correct, the TOC will
assist the customer earth station in optimizing the transmission. When
optimized, the TOC will direct that modulation be applied and will
check for correct deviation. If all parameters are within spec, the
customer will be notified that the transmission is acceptable, the
technicians will exchange initials and both activities will log the
event. If the earth station cannot meet transmission requirements, the
TOC will direct the carrier to be taken down until the problem can be
corrected.
d) For half transponder video, the procedure is similar to that in 9.c.
above, except that it will vary depending on whether another carrier is
operating in the transponder.
e) If there is not another carrier in the transponder, the TOC will direct
the customer to bring up his ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and raise power until
saturation is achieved. The carrier power will then be backed-off to
achieve 3 dB output backoff as measured in downlink EIRP. This will
equate to approximately an 8 dB reduction in uplink power. If the
customer does not have enough power to saturate the transponder,
special arrangements can be made to provide a saturated CW reference
carrier. This will allow the customer to establish the proper power
operating point. Special requests such as this must be made in advance
during the initial contact with the TOC.
f) If the customer is the second station accessing the transponder, he
will be asked to bring up a ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ slowly until the signal matches
the downlink EIRP of the first carrier as measured on the spectrum
analyzer in 3 MHz resolution BW mode with a 1 MHz video filter. When
both uplink carriers are equal in power, each of the downlink carriers
will be approximately 5 dB below a single saturated carrier.
g) In all cases, after the operating point is determined, modulation will
be applied to the carrier and the transmitter power settings should be
noted and entered in the user's station log. If possible, a power meter
on the transmitter output coupler should be used for higher accuracy
because front panel meters may vary, particularly at the lower power
levels.
h) Some customers sequentially time-share transponders and transition by
an uplink hot switch. The two customers shall coordinate the exact time
of the hot switch in advance. The uplink preparing to transmit shall
coordinate access through the TOC prior to the switch time and shall be
on-line with GE Americom at the time of the switch.
i) The customer may continue to operate his carrier within the previously
agreed schedule as long as the carrier remains within the technical
requirements. If the carrier exceeds tolerances or is causing
interference to other users of the spacecraft or to other spacecraft,
5
the TOC shall direct that the transmission cease immediately. The
customer shall insure that duty staff have standing authorization to
respond to such requests without referral to other authorities. The
customer shall cease transmission until the problem is corrected.
Before resuming transmission, the customer must contact the TOC to
verify that the problem has been resolved.
10. Single Channel Per Carrier (SCPC) Traffic
-----------------------------------------
Special considerations must be observed for SCPC traffic in addition to
those contained in the access procedures in Section 9. Since a large number
of carriers share the available bandwidth and power of the transponder, any
change to assigned allocations can affect all traffic in the transponder.
When an order is accepted by GE Americom for SCPC service, the allowable
power and bandwidth that may be used by the customer is precisely
specified. It is very important that SCPC power level, center frequency and
deviation must not be made by the user without coordination with GE
Americom's TOC. Uncoordinated adjustment of carrier parameters can cause
interference and degradation of service to other communications in the
transponder.
Some customers are given a percent of total transponder power and bandwidth
or are assigned a specific power level to be used within a specific
frequency range. These customers are responsible for insuring that their
individual carriers do not exceed their contracted allocations or cause
interference to other customers. GE Americom will conduct sweeps of the
transponder to check power and bandwidth assignments.
As an aid to setting and checking SCPC power levels, there are 10 dBW
unmodulated reference carriers transmitted by GE Americom on the following
transponders with their respective frequencies:
Downlink Frequency
------------------
Satcom GE-1, transponder 2K 11739.7 MHz
Satcom GE-2, transponder 14C 3995.95 MHz
Satcom C-5, transponder 3 3753.95 MHz
Satcom C-5, transponder 17 4050.20 MHz
Satcom C-5, transponder 21 4121.00 MHz
When using these reference carriers for comparison, the carrier under test
must be unmodulated.
11. Spacecraft Reconfiguration
--------------------------
Some spacecraft have the capability to be reconfigured for different input
attenuation, operation in LINEAR or LIMITER mode and/or downlink beam
switching. The procedure for spacecraft reconfiguration is as follows:
- The customer shall supply to the TOC a written list of the persons
in their organization authorized to request the reconfigurations
allowed in their contract.
6
- These persons may contact the TOC and request a reconfiguration.
The TOC will validate the request and pass it on to the TT&C
controlling the spacecraft. Depending on other critical operations
in progress, the TT&C will accomplish the reconfiguration as soon
as possible and notify the TOC who will in turn notify the
customer.
- Changes from LINEAR to LIMITER or vice versa or changes to input
attenuators may be requested. Switching input attenuators to 3 dB
or less requires approval from GE Americom's Manager, Customer and
Technical Services.
12. Good Nights
-----------
All customers are requested to notify GE Americom's Technical Operations
Center (TOC) when they have completed transmission to a spacecraft. For
Occasional Services, the transmission should be completed by the firm Good
Night time contained in the order for service. This is especially important
since billing is based on the Start and Good Night times specified in the
order for the Occasional Services.
If an Occasional Service transmission is not completed by the scheduled
Good Night time, the TOC will contact the uplinker and request that the
transmission immediately cease. If no other user is scheduled for
transmission following the previously scheduled Good Night time, the TOC
will allow the uplinker to authorize a change to the ordered Good Night
time to allow continued transmission. The customer will then be billed
according to the revised Good Night Time.
In the event of a schedule conflict, GE Americom's policy is to give
transmission priority to the user who has scheduled a Start time rather
than the prior user who has not completed transmission by the scheduled
Good Night time. Thus, Occasional Service users must use care when defining
the Good Night time for a particular event.
13. Trouble Reporting
-----------------
Customers should immediately report any instances of interference to their
transmissions to the TOC. The TOC will assist in trying to identify the
source of interference and will contact any likely potential interferers.
It should be recognized, however, that it is sometimes very difficult to
identify the source of interference. The TOC has a video tape recorder
on-line ready to record any interference whether for investigative purposes
or criminal prosecution. The TOC routinely reports all interference
incidents to the FCC.
Suspected degradation or outages in the space segment shall be reported to
the TOC, which will coordinate investigation of the problem and testing.
Suspected degradation of transponder performance may require the customer
to release the transponder at a mutually acceptable time to allow GE
Americom time for performance testing.
Please note that for purposes of billing credit for service outages, the
length of the interruption is measured from the time the customer notifies
the TOC of the interruption to the time when the customer is notified of
the return to service by the TOC.
7
In the event it becomes necessary to escalate service problems beyond the
primary level, the customer is afforded the opportunity to contact GE
Americom managerial personnel for assistance in resolving any problem:
Second Level: Manager (▇▇▇▇▇▇ Valley) Team Leader (Woodbine)
------------ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
(▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇ (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Third Level: Manager, Customer Services and Operations
----------- ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
(▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Fourth Level: Vice President, Terrestrial Systems & Operations
------------ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
(▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Fifth Level: Senior Vice President and General Manager
----------- Engineering & Operations
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
(▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
8
APPENDIX A
AMERICOM TRANSMISSION STANDARDS
-------------------------------
Frequency and Polarization Plans
--------------------------------
The frequency and polarization plans used on the Satcom C- and Ku-band
spacecraft are shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
Video/Audio Modulation Parameters
---------------------------------
Full Transponder - Full transponder standard parameters are contained in Figure
7. Parameters are for C-band and are optional for Ku-band.
Half Transponder - Half transponder standard parameters are contained in Figure
8. These are applicable to operation on the ▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇-▇▇▇▇
transponders.
9
Figure 1
▇-▇, ▇-▇, ▇-▇, ▇▇-▇ and GE-4 C-BAND FREQUENCY PLAN*
---------------------------------------------------
Uplink
------
5945 5985 6025 6065 6105 6145 6185 6225 6265 6305 6345 6385
H Pol [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__]
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23
5965 6005 6045 6085 6125 6165 6205 6245 6285 6325 6365 6405
V Pol [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__]
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
Frequency
Downlink
--------
3720 3760 3800 3840 3880 3920 3960 4000 4040 4080 4120 4160
V Pol [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__]
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23
3740 3780 3820 3860 3900 3940 3980 4020 4060 4100 4140 4180
H Pol [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__]
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
Frequency
*All C-band transponders have 36 MHz bandwidth.
10
Figure 2
C-1, GE-1 and GE-3 C-BAND FREQUENCY PLAN*
----------------------------------------
Uplink
------
5945 5985 6025 6065 6105 6145 6185 6225 6265 6305 6345 6385
V Pol [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__]
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23
5965 6005 6045 6085 6125 6165 6205 6245 6285 6325 6365 6405
H Pol [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__]
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
Frequency MHz
Downlink
--------
3720 3760 3800 3840 3880 3920 3960 4000 4040 4080 4120 4160
H Pol [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__]
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23
3740 3780 3820 3860 3900 3940 3980 4020 4060 4100 4140 4180
V Pol [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__] [__]
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
Frequency MHz
*All C-band transponders have 36 MHz bandwidth.
11
Figure 3
GE-1 and GE-3 Ku-BAND FREQUENCY PLAN*
------------------------------------
Uplink
------
14020 14060 14100 14140 14180 14220 14260 14300 14340 14380 14420 14460
V Pol [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___]
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23
14040 14080 14120 14160 14200 14240 14280 14320 14360 14400 14440 14480
H Pol [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___]
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
Frequency MHz
Downlink
--------
11720 11760 11800 11840 11880 11920 11960 12000 12040 12080 12120 12160
H Pol [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___]
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23
11740 11780 11820 11860 11900 11940 11980 12020 12060 12100 12140 12180
V Pol [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___]
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
Frequency MHz
*All Ku-band transponders have 36 MHz bandwidth.
12
Figure 4
GE-4 Ku-BAND FREQUENCY PLAN*
---------------------------
Uplink
------
13875 13955 14020 14060 14100 14140 14180 14220 14260 14300 14340 14380 14420 14460
H Pol [_____] [_____] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___]
25 27 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23
13875 13955 14040 14080 14120 14160 14200 14240 14280 14320 14360 14400 14440 14480
V Pol [_____] [_____] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___]
26 28 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
Extended Frequency MHz
Downlink
--------
11575 11655 11720 11760 11800 11840 11880 11920 11960 12000 12040 12080 12120 12160
V Pol [_____] [_____] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___]
25 27 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23
11575 11655 11740 11780 11820 11860 11900 11940 11980 12020 12060 12100 12140 12180
H Pol [_____] [_____] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___]
26 28 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
Frequency MHz
* All FSS Ku-band transponders (1-24) have 36 MHz bandwidth.
All Extended Ku-band transponders (25-28) have 72 MHz bandwidth.
13
Figure 5
GE-2 Ku-BAND FREQUENCY PLAN*
---------------------------
Uplink
------
14020 14060 14100 14140 14180 14220 14260 14300 14340 14380 14420 14460
H Pol [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___]
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23
14040 14080 14120 14160 14200 14240 14280 14320 14360 14400 14440 14480
V Pol [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___]
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
Frequency MHz
Downlink
--------
11720 11760 11800 11640 11880 11920 11960 12000 12040 12080 12120 12160
V Pol [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___]
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23
11740 11780 11820 11860 11900 11940 11980 12020 12060 12100 12140 12180
H Pol [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___]
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
Frequency MHz
*All Ku-band transponders have 36 MHz bandwidth.
14
Figure 6
K-2 FREQUENCY PLAN*
------------------
Uplink
------
14029 14088 14147 14206 14265 14324 14383 14442
V Pol [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____]
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15
14058.5 14117.5 14176.5 14235.5 14294.5 14353.5 14412.5 14471.5
H Pol [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____]
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Frequency MHz
Downlink
--------
11729 11788 11847 11906 11965 12024 12083 12142
H Pol [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____]
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15
11758.5 11817.5 11876.5 11935.5 11994.5 12053.5 12112.5 12171.5
V Pol [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____]
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Fequency MHz
*All transponders are 54 MHz bandwidth
15
Figure 7
GE-5 FREQUENCY PLAN*
-------------------
Uplink
------
14030 14091 14152 14213 14274 14335 14396 14457
H Pol [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____]
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15
14043 14104 14165 14226 14287 14348 14409 14470
V Pol [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____]
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Frequency MHz
Downlink
--------
11730 11791 11852 11913 11974 12035 12096 12157
V Pol [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____]
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15
11743 11804 11865 11926 11987 12048 12109 12170
H Pol [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____]
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
Frequency MHz
* All transponders are 54 MHz bandwidth.
16
Figure 8
FULL TRANSPONDER VIDEO TRANSMISSION PARAMETERS
----------------------------------------------
Video Test Tone Frequency f\\vt\\ = 761.6 KHz
Video Test Tone Peak Deviation (DELTA)F\\vt\\ = 10.75 MHz
Video Test Tone Level for Bessel Null L\\vb\\ = -13.15 dBm
Video Test Tone Level for Test (1 Vp-p) L\\vt\\ = 2.2 dBm
Energy Dispersal Frequency f\\ed\\ = 30 Hz
Energy Dispersal Peak Deviation (DELTA)F\\ed\\ = ▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇\\▇▇\\ = -18.41 dBm
Nominal Program Audio Subcarrier Frequency f\\SC\\ = 6.8 MHz
Subcarrier Peak Deviation on Main Carrier (DELTA)F\\SC\\ = 2 MHz
Audio Test Tone Frequency f\\at\\ = 1 KHz
Audio Test Tone Level at Input to Exciter
(APL across 600 Ohms) L\\at\\ = 0.0 dBm
Audio Test Tone Peak Deviation for Average Program
Level (APL) (DELTA)F\\at\\ = 75 KHz
Audio Test Tone Peak Program Level (PPL) L\\apt\\ = +10.0 dBm
Audio Peak Deviation at PPL (DELTA)F\\apd\\ = 237 KHz
Audio Test Tone Level (1 KHz) for First Bessel Null
(to result in F\\at\\) L\\ab\\ = -29.88 dBm
NOTE:
----
A. All exciters shall have a 36 MHz (maximum) IF filter to limit transmit
spectrum.
17
Figure 9
▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇-▇▇▇▇ HALF TRANSPONDER VIDEO TRANSMISSION PARAMETERS
-------------------------------------------------------------
Video Test Tone Frequency f\\vt\\ = 761.6 KHz
Video Test Tone Peak Deviation (DELTA)F\\vt\\ = 9.1 MHz
Video Test Tone Level for Bessel Null L\\vb\\ = -11.71 dBm
Video Test Tone Level for Test (1 Vp-p) L\\vt\\ = 2.22 dBm
Energy Dispersal Frequency f\\ed\\ = 30 Hz
Energy Dispersal Peak Deviation (DELTA)F\\ed\\ = 1.0 MHz
Energy Dispersal Level L\\ed\\ = -16.96 dBm
Subcarrier Frequency f\\SC\\ = 6.2 MHz
Subcarrier Peak Deviation on Main Carrier (DELTA)F\\SC\\ = 1.25 MHz
Audio Test Tone Frequency f\\at\\ = 1 KHz
Audio Test Tone Level at Input to Exciter
(APL across 600 Ohms) L\\at\\ = 0.0 dBm
Audio Test Tone Peak Deviation for Average
Program Level (APL) (DELTA) F\\at\\ = 60.0 KHz
Audio Test Tone Peak Program Level (PPL) L\\apt\\ = +10.0 dBm
Audio Peak Deviation at PPL (DELTA)F\\apd\\ = 189.7 KHz
Audio Test Tone Level (1 KHz) for First Bessel Null
(to result in F\\at\\) L\\ab\\ = -28 dBm
NOTE:
----
A. All exciters shall have a Ku-band 2:1 Video 25 MHz (Intelsat Mask) IF
bandwidth filter.
▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇
GSTAR TRANSMISSION STANDARDS
----------------------------
Frequency and Polarization Plans
--------------------------------
The frequency and polarization plan for the GSTAR spacecraft is shown in Figure
1. The half transponder center frequencies for the 54 MHz GSTAR transponders are
▇/-▇▇ ▇▇▇ above and below the transponder center frequencies.
Video/Audio Modulation Parameters
---------------------------------
GSTAR transponders - Use parameters found in Figure 2 for full transponder and
Figure 3 for half transponder operation.
19
Figure 1
GSTAR 4 FREQUENCY PLAN*
----------------------
Uplink
------
14030 14091 14152 14213 14274 14335 14396 14457
V Pol [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____]
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
14044 14105 14166 14227 14288 14349 14410 14471
H Pol [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____]
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Frequency MHz
Downlink
--------
11730 11791 11852 11913 11974 12035 12096 12157
H Pol [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____]
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
11744 11805 11866 11927 11988 12049 12110 12171
V Pol [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____] [_____]
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Frequency MHz
* All transponders are 54 MHz bandwidth.
20
Figure 2
GSTAR-4 VIDEO TRANSMISSION PARAMETERS
-------------------------------------
Full Transponder
----------------
Video Test Tone Frequency f\\vt\\ = 761.6 KHz
Video Test Tone Peak Deviation (DELTA)F\\vt\\ = 10.75 MHz
Video Test Tone Level for Bessel Null L\\vb\\ = -13.15 dBm
Video Test Tone Level for Test (1 V) L\\vt\\ = 2.2 dBm
Energy Dispersal Frequency f\\ed\\ = 30 Hz
Energy Dispersal Peak Deviation (DELTA)F\\ed\\ = ▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇\\▇▇\\ = -18.41 dBm
Nominal Program Audio Subcarrier Frequency f\\SC\\ = 6.8 MHz
Subcarrier Peak Deviation on Main Carrier (DELTA)F\\SC\\ = 2 MHz
Audio Test Tone Frequency f\\at\\ = 1 KHz
Audio Test Tone Level at Input to Exciter
(APL across 600 Ohms) L\\at\\ = 0.0 dBm
Audio Test Tone Peak Deviation for Average Program
Level (APL) (DELTA)F\\at\\ = 75 KHz
Audio Test Tone Peak Program Level (PPL) L\\apt\\ = +10.0 dBm
Audio Peak Deviation at PPL (DELTA)F\\apd\\ = 237 KHz
Audio Test Tone Level (1 KHz) for First Bessel Null
(to result in F) L\\ab\\ = -29.88 dBm
NOTE:
----
A. All exciters shall have a 36 MHz (maximum) IF filter to limit transmit
spectrum.
21
Figure 3
▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇-▇▇▇▇ HALF TRANSPONDER VIDEO TRANSMISSION PARAMETERS
-------------------------------------------------------------
Video Test Tone Frequency f\\vt\\ = 761.6 KHz
Video Test Tone Peak Deviation (DELTA)F\\vt\\ = 9.1 MHz
Video Test Tone Level for Bessel Null L\\vb\\ = -11.71 dBm
Video Test Tone Level for Test (1 Vp-p) L\\vt\\ = 2.22 dBm
Energy Dispersal Frequency f\\ed\\ = 30 Hz
Energy Dispersal Peak Deviation (DELTA)F\\ed\\ = 1.0 MHz
Energy Dispersal Level L\\ed\\ = -16.96 dBm
Subcarrier Frequency f\\SC\\ = 6.2 MHz
Subcarrier Peak Deviation on Main Carrier (DELTA)F\\SC\\ = 1.25 MHz
Audio Test Tone Frequency f\\at\\ = 1 KHz
Audio Test Tone Level at Input to Exciter
(APL across 600 Ohms) L\\at\\ = 0.0 dBm
Audio Test Tone Peak Deviation for Average
ProgramLevel (APL) (DELTA) F\\at\\ = 60.0 KHz
Audio Test Tone Peak Program Level (PPL) L\\apt\\ = +10.0 dBm
Audio Peak Deviation at PPL (DELTA)F\\apd\\ = 189.7 KHz
Audio Test Tone Level (1 KHz) for First Bessel Null
(to result in F\\at\\) L\\ab\\ = -28 dBm
NOTE:
----
A. All exciters shall have a Ku-band 2:1 Video 25 MHz (Intelsat Mask) IF
bandwidth filter.
22
APPENDIX C
GE AMERICOM SPACECRAFT BEACON FREQUENCIES
-----------------------------------------
The beacon frequencies and polarizations for the GE Americom domestic fleet are
shown below.
------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
C-Band Ku-Band
------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
Spacecraft Frequency Pol Frequency Pol Frequency Pol
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
C-1 3700.5 V 4199.5 H None
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
C-3
C-4 3700.5 H 4199.5 V None
C-5
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
GE-1 3700.5 V 4199.5 H 12198 H
GE-3
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
GE-2 3700.5 H 4199.5 V 12198 V
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
GE-4 3700.5 H 4199.5 V 11702 H
12198 V
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇-▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ V
12198 H
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
▇-▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ V
12198 H
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
▇▇-▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ H
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
These signals provide telemetry data for GE Americom use in monitoring the
status of the spacecraft. These signals may prove useful for those customers who
need a reference signal for antenna tracking or related purposes.
23
GE AMERICOM SUMMARY 1
-------------------
Satellite Fleet 2
---------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
▇-▇ ▇-▇ ▇-▇ ▇-▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇-▇ ▇▇-▇
139(degrees)W 137(degrees)W 135(degrees)W 131(degrees)W 105(degrees)W 103(degrees)W 101(degrees)W
C C C C Ku C&Ku C&Ku
-------------------------------------------------------------------
▇▇-▇ ▇▇-▇ K-2 GE-5
87(degrees)W 85(degrees)W 81(degrees)W 79(degrees)W
C&Ku C&Ku Ku Ku
Spacecraft Access
-----------------
Call ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Valley, New Jersey at (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇ for access to Satcom ▇-▇,
▇-▇, ▇-▇, ▇-▇, ▇▇-▇ and GE-2.
Call Woodbine, Maryland at (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇ for access to ▇▇▇▇▇-▇, ▇▇-▇,
GE-4, K-2 and GE-5.
Business Arrangements
---------------------
Full-time space segment, call (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Occasional space segment bookings, call (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇ or (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
(SNG Users)
Technical information, call (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Satellite Center of Box
-----------------------
Call (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Notes:
-----
1 See complete text of Commercial Operations System Users Guide for additional
information, requirements, telephone and facsimile numbers.
2 K-2 is in N-S inclined operation.
24
ATTACHMENT C
CLEAN, IRREVOCABLE
------------------
NONCANCELLABLE LETTER OF CREDIT
-------------------------------
[LETTERHEAD OF ISSUING BANK]
IRREVOCABLE LETTER OF CREDIT
TO: DATE:____________________
GE American Communications, Inc.
Four ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: Vice President, Finance
GE Capital Europe Limited
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇-▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
Attention: VP, GE Americom Europe
NUMBER:__________________________
GENTLEMEN:
WE HEREBY OPEN OUR IRREVOCABLE LETTER OF CREDIT IN YOUR JOINT AND
SEVERAL FAVOR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SKYCACHE, INC., UP TO AN AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF [
*** ] AVAILABLE IN ONE OR MORE DRAWINGS UPON PRESENTATION TO US OF YOUR DRAFT(S)
AT SIGHT ON US ACCOMPANIED BY ANY ONE OF THE DOCUMENTS SPECIFIED BELOW:
1) A statement in writing signed by an officer of GE American
Communications, Inc. ("GE Americom"), stating that a) SkyCache, Inc.,
("SkyCache") has defaulted under an agreement dated ___, 1999 between SkyCache
and GE Americom ("the GE Americom Agreement"), and b) the amount of the draft
being presented does not exceed the aggregate amount due and payable to GE
Americom under the GE Americom Agreement.
OR: 2) A statement in writing signed by an officer of GE Capital Europe
Limited ("GECEL"), stating that a) SkyCache has defaulted under an agreement
dated _________, ___ 1999 between SkyCache and GECEL ("the GECEL Agreement"),
and b) the amount of the draft being presented does not exceed the aggregate
amount due and payable to GECEL under the GECEL Agreement.
*** Confidential Treatment Requested
25
OR: 3) A statement in writing signed by an officer of GE Americom or
GECEL stating that SkyCache has failed to deliver to GE Americom and GECEL an
extension or replacement of the Letter of Credit as required under either the GE
Americom Agreement or the GECEL Agreement.
DRAFTS MUST BE PRESENTED AT THIS BANK ON OR BEFORE [ *** ].
WE HEREBY AGREE WITH THE DRAWERS, ENDORSERS AND BONA FIDE HOLDERS OF
DRAFTS DRAWN UNDER AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THIS LETTER OF CREDIT
THAT SUCH DRAFTS SHALL BE DULY HONORED ON PRESENTATION AND DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS
AS SPECIFIED.
THIS CREDIT IS SUBJECT TO "UNIFORM CUSTOMS AND PRACTICES FOR
DOCUMENTARY CREDITS (1994 REVISION) INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
PUBLICATION NO. 500.
[NAME OF ISSUING BANK]
By:_____________________________
Name:___________________________
*** Confidential Treatment Requested
26
