Communication satellite evolution during the 1980's
Abstract
Technologies in process and under space qualification for the communications satellites of the 1980s are outlined. Attention is given to the technological improvements for the Intelsat V satellite, which will provide a near doubling of Intelsat IVA capacity for the same general in-orbit mass, a body-stabilized space platform adapted to carry antenna systems capable of transmitting contoured beams to the earth's surface, and a flexible basic bus which can accommodate maritime packages and INSAT satellite equipment. Major advances allowing capacity increases including multibeam antennas, frequency reuse, TDMA, SS-TDMA and regenerative repeaters are presented, and the intended use of Ariane, with a greater launch capacity, is pointed out. Means for component weight reduction, including the use of graphite epoxy composite materials, and mass efficiency improvement are indicated, and multiple-feed, large aperture antennas to provide contoured beams are noted.
- Publication:
-
Space, Space Telecommunications and Satellite Radio Broadcasting: Objectives for the Next Decade
- Pub Date:
- 1979
- Bibcode:
- 1979ssts.proc..579T
- Keywords:
-
- Communication Satellites;
- Intelsat Satellites;
- Satellite Antennas;
- Technological Forecasting;
- Time Division Multiple Access;
- Antenna Design;
- Antenna Radiation Patterns;
- Channel Capacity;
- Frequency Assignment;
- Graphite-Epoxy Composites;
- Weight Reduction;
- Communications and Radar