ECS communications success

The European Communications Satellite (ECS) which supplies satellite links for national telecommunication, long-distance international telephone traffic, and the distribution of television programs is described. The ECS concept was tested by the Orbital Test Satellite and proved the applicability of the ECS for television transmission and high-speed data links provided by small earth stations. The industrial development, operation, and cost of the project, which was shared by the European Space Agency members, are discussed. Extra repeater chains for small-dish services employed by ECS operate in the 14.0-14.25 GHz uplink and 12.5-12.75 GHz downlink frequency band and are utilized by small earth stations. The advantages and disadvantages of transmission services provided by the small earth stations are studied. The utilization of the point-to-multipoint service of the small earth station for the transmission of data is analyzed. The television distribution services available with the ECS system are examined; the ECS provides ten 20-W channels for a lifetime of seven years.