An evolutionary role for small comsats

Abstract

A review of orbit and constellation options is presented for regional and global coverage in real time for voice-based communication and for intermittent or delayed messaging. An evolutionary trend to increasing spacecraft size and cost is explained in terms of increasing productivity. A viewpoint is presented that small satellites do not have unique technical capabilities but do promise lower unit costs to build and launch. These features coupled with orbit and constellation characteristics make smallsats attractive in start up, low capacity and experimental missions and particularly in global systems requiring many satellites. Comments are made on the system features of some of the current mobile system filings before the FCC which rely on small satellites for communications and position location. Two additional applications of small satellites are presented, one for a medium capacity GEO satellite for domestic or regional fixed satellite service at C or Ku-band. The other is for a constellation of 3 medium altitude polar orbit satellites to provide high latitude mobile service as a complement to a global geosynchronous-based system for aeronautical, maritime and land mobile communications.