Development trends in Europe on satellite clusters and geostationary platforms
Abstract
ESA development programs for advanced GEO communications satellites or platforms are surveyed. The ongoing concentration of space-communications traffic in the European region is evaluated, and a gradual transition from the current Eutalsat deployment (one 9-channel satellite in each of three orbital positions) to a configuration combining string-of-pearls clusters of medium-size (18-channel) national satellites and large international platforms is predicted. The technology of clustering and platform assembly in space, including TV observation of neighbor satellites, rendezvous, and mechanical docking in LEO and/or GEO, is discussed. Various proposed vehicles and configurations are illustrated with drawings, and the ESA efforts currently underway or planned (e.g., in-orbit experiments using EURECA) are characterized.
- Publication:
-
10th Communication Satellite Systems Conference
- Pub Date:
- 1984
- Bibcode:
- 1984coss.conf..622R
- Keywords:
-
- Communication Satellites;
- Esa Satellites;
- Geosynchronous Orbits;
- Satellite Networks;
- Synchronous Platforms;
- Technological Forecasting;
- Broadcasting;
- Satellite Configurations;
- Satellite Design;
- Satellite Television;
- Solar Sails;
- Space Platforms;
- Space Rendezvous;
- Spacecraft Docking;
- Communications and Radar