The Public Radio Satellite System

Public radio currently leases three C-band transponders on the Galaxy 16 satellite, owned and operated by PanAmSat Corporation. Galaxy 16 is a high-power satellite with 24 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders, providing complete geographic coverage of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean. This satellite is located at the 99° West Longitude (W.L.) orbital position.

Earth terminals utilizing the PRSS must be capable of receiving signals from Galaxy 16. They must also be capable of receiving signals from the two additional orbital locations to which the PRSS would transfer operations in the event of primary satellite failure. These two backup orbital locations are 95° and 127° W.L. In addition, earth terminals must utilize an interconnection that provides an L-band signal from the antenna to the studio demodulator location.

The equipment in use at all interconnected stations allows them to tune to the satellite channels. The PRSS ContentDepot facilitates scheduling, transmission, and automated program reception and recording at stations.