The Arabsat communications satellites

The Arabsat communications satellite program, currently being developed at Aerospatiale, is presented. Services to be provided to the 22 Arab countries include point to point telecommunications services with a capacity of 8000 simultaneous telephone circuits per spacecraft, and semidirect television transmission using ground antennas approximately 3 m in diameter. The Arabsat spacecraft uses such techniques as three-axis stabilization, a unified bi-propellant propulsion system, and dual polarization of signals for frequency re-use. Spacecraft characteristics include an in orbit mass of 678 kg, spacecraft body dimensions of 2.26 m x 1.64 m x 1.49 m, and a 7 year lifespan. This design can accommodate a high performance communications payload made of 25 C-C band (4/6 GHz) transponders and 1 C-S band (6/2.5 GHz) transponder. Other parameters include a power supply of 400 W provided by the solar array wings, and the use of both Ariane and STS launchers. Design diagrams are included.