ECS maritime communications satellite - The Marecs spacecraft
Abstract
Consideration is given to the Marecs spacecraft, noting that the communications system operates to and from ships on the L-band at 1500 MHz and to earth stations in the 4/6 GHz frequency range. The payload includes microwave integrated circuits using thin-film technology for units operating over 500 MHz. To increase antenna gain towards the edge of coverage, passive phase-shaping is used by the L-band antenna. The three ocean regions are thus covered with three satellites. The platform is a modular construction and is three-axis stabilized, employing data from IR earth-sensors to manipulate a one degree of freedom system. The solar array has two 3-panel wings and requires 760 watts of dc power.
- Publication:
-
Satellite Communications
- Pub Date:
- May 1981
- Bibcode:
- 1981SatCo.......26M
- Keywords:
-
- European Communications Satellite;
- Marecs Maritime Satellites;
- Satellite Antennas;
- Satellite Design;
- Satellite Networks;
- Satellite-Borne Instruments;
- Degrees Of Freedom;
- European Space Agency;
- Integrated Circuits;
- Microwave Circuits;
- Phase Modulation;
- Satellite Ground Support;
- Solar Arrays;
- Stabilized Platforms;
- Ultrahigh Frequencies;
- Launch Vehicles and Space Vehicles