Electromagnetic properties and communication characteristics of PACSAT

This report presents an analysis of various technical and system properties of a passive communication satellite concept known as PACSAT. The satellite is a linear array of scatterers oriented toward the center of the Earth by the gravity-gradient force. The scatterers are assumed to consist of perfectly conducting spheres that are uniformly spaced. First the scattering cross section of the array is developed and the effects of flexure and near-field operation are considered. The array is then assumed to be in a circular equatorial orbit and various system and orbit parameters are calculated for users in a service area approximating the United States in shape. Finally, communication characteristics are investigated and power budgets presented for typical system configurations.