Satellite communications research - The problems of propagation

The Intelsat Propagation R & D program was instituted in response to the rapid and unexpected fluctuations in received signal levels experienced by Intelsat stations as their number grew. At 14 and 11 GHz, which are new bands opened for international traffic by Intelsat V satellites, rain not only depolarizes radio signals but can severely attenuate them. Over 200,000 hours of radiometer data have been accumulated by the program in order to carry out a computer prediction service for Intelsat V attenuation. Attention is given to earlier, 6 and 4 GHz Intelsat transmission depolarization by rain.