Future global satellite systems for Intelsat

A number of satellite system concepts are presented as alternative ways to accommodate Atlantic region traffic in the year 2000, i.e., the post-Intelsat VI period. These concepts range from extrapolations of current Intelsat architecture to modular approaches to capacity growth which incorporate advanced technologies. It is predicted that the year 2000 should require no less than three and no more than seven operational satellites in separate orbital slots to satisfy basic Atlantic region international requirements. In terms of technology, multiple-beam spacecraft antennas continue to be the pacing item on which satellite capacity growth is critically dependent, with onboard processing almost as important.