The communication-satellite market to the year 2000

The developmental history of communication satellites (CSs) is traced; the demands placed on industry by the increasing sophistication of CS payloads, the need to adapt the CS to different launchers (STS or Ariane), and the requirement of longer service life are reviewed; and the evolution of the markets for fixed (telephone, telex, and facsimile), video, business, and broadcasting service is projected over the period 1980-2000 and illustrated with tables and graphs. It is predicted that the worldwide market, expressed in terms of the demand for 36-Mhz transponders, will increase from 426 in 1980 to 1410 in 1985, 3100 in 1990, 5580 in 1995, and 9870 in 2000, with the main increase in transponders for voice communications. The potential for Netherlands participation in the growth of the CS market is evaluated, and the need for government leadership and for active promotion efforts is stressed.