Global satellite communications system using geostationary platforms

A proposed system of six geostationary platforms able to meet the entire point-to-point communication requirements of the year 2000 is discussed. The system will furnish mobile, maritime, and direct broadcast services at reasonable cost to any of the six geographic regions defined. Such a scheme would leave the rest of the geostationary arc for conventional broadcast satellites, as well as the growth of new systems. The platforms would be deployed in pairs over the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans, and would be connected with inter-spacecraft links to provide single-hop global service. It is stipulated that each platform should be able to grow over the course of its lifetime, additional payload modules being added to meet increasing demand.