Communications Satellites - Issues and Trends.
Abstract
The history of development of communications satellites is reviewed, with emphasis on RF power, life, cost, complexity, antenna gain, and ERP trends. Two figures of merit for assessing comparative performance are developed: ERP/weight and ERP x life/weight. These factors are plotted, along with ERP/cost and ERP x life/cost, for several historical Comsats, both commercial and military, and trends are noted toward increasing their performance by means of increasing weight, cost, and complexity. Advances in technology now emerging are reviewed, including items such as multibeam antennas and use of the space shuttle/tug, and conclusions are drawn that such technology can have enormous impact on the performance and cost of future Comsats. A diagram of a possible future Comsat is shown. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 30, 1974
- Accession Number
- AD0781134
Entities
People
- I. Bekey
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation