FormSat, a scalable formation flying communication satellite system

Abstract

The competitive and evolving nature of the commercial communications satellite market sector, combined with the limited number of allocations in geosynchronous orbit, have led to a steady increase in the complexity, size and weight of satellites. Satellite manufacturers in the sector have suffered from increased non-recurring engineering costs and low rate production, leading to insufficient profit margins. This paper identifies an opportunity to capitalize on the overcrowding of prime geosynchronous orbit slots and provides satellite service providers with a scalable space system solution that fulfills their need to follow market evolution. The proposed space system, FormSat, is based on standardized medium power satellites flying in formation in the geosynchronous orbit. The system will consist of transparent communication satellites connected via intersatellite links to a hub satellite, which carries the processing and routing functionality of the communication satellites in the formation, allowing management and optimization of in-orbit resources. FormSat allows gradual increase of capacity by adding additional communication satellites in the same formation. This system architecture is integrated with attractive services using a new payload hosting business model. Satellite service providers can reduce upfront investment, and are able to gradually deploy and expand to new applications or commercial markets with reduced risks. The FormSat architecture will provide a profitable and sustainable business for satellite manufacturers with low upfront investment and additional new value added for satellite service providers.