Satellite telecommunication platforms

The paper describes the new-generation telecommunications platforms that are intended to progressively replace the conventional satellites of smaller size. The new platforms will offer numerous advantages in terms of performance and economy for the users; the platforms larger, more sophisticated and accommodating more systems as compared with today's satellites - will act to counterbalance the reduction in size, complexity and cost of ground receivers. Some work done at Alitalia on the development of such platforms is discussed.