RCA's direct broadcast satellites for STC
Abstract
In October 1982, the Satellite Television Corporation (STC) concluded with an American aerospace company a contract calling for the design, development, and manufacture of the first direct broadcast satellites (DBS) for use in the United States. A summary of the DBS performance requirements is presented in a table. The Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power required for direct broadcast transmission to small, home antennas (0.6 to 0.75 m) is 53 to 54 dBW. The spacecraft features are discussed along with the satellite configuration, taking into account the communications subsystem, spacecraft structure, attitude and orbit control, the reaction control subsystem, the power subsystem, and the employment of heat pipes for the efficient distribution of thermal energy on the radiating surfaces.
- Publication:
-
Lausanne International Astronautical Federation Congress
- Pub Date:
- October 1984
- Bibcode:
- 1984laus.iafcU....M
- Keywords:
-
- Commercial Spacecraft;
- Satellite Television;
- Spacecraft Design;
- Broadcasting;
- Reaction Control;
- Satellite Antennas;
- Satellite Configurations;
- Satellite Networks;
- Launch Vehicles and Space Vehicles