Unit 1 - Overview Of Satellite Systems Orbits
Introduction
● Satellite is a smaller object that revolves around the larger object in space
● Eg : Moon is natural satellite of Earth
● Artificial satellites are designed and launched into space for variety of purposes such as
weather monitoring ,navigating tv and mobile communication etc.
● Example; INSAT , IRS , GSAT etc.
Satellite Communication
● If the communication takes place between any two earth stations through a satellite then
it is called as satellite communication
● Electromagnetic waves are carriers and they carry the signal of voice audio , video or any
other form of data between ground and space and vice versa
● Communication satellites transmit the radio telecommunications signal via transponder
Transponder
● It consists of radio receivers, amplifiers and transmitters
● It amplifies the incoming signal and changes its frequency for downlink
Uplink
● Signal sent from earth’s station to satellite in space is uplink and this frequency is called
uplink frequency
Downlink
● Signal sent from space station to earth station is downlink and this frequency is called
downlink frequency
Frequencies is in high power (in few Ghz)
Uplink frequencies are always higher than
downlink frequencies
Applications
● Radio and Tv broadcasting
● Military applications and navigation
● Weather forecasting
● Internet applications such as GPS ,data transfer, etc
Advantages
● Each and every corner of earth can be covered
● Communication over longer distance
● Transmission cost is independent of coverage area
● Maximum bandwidth and reliable
Disadvantages
● Launching of satellites into orbits is costly process
● Difficult to provide repairing in space
● Free space loss is more
● There can be congestion of frequencies
Frequency allocation for Satellite Services
● It is a complicated process to allocate frequencies to satellite
● It requires international coordination and planning
● It can be done under the guidance of INTERNATION TELECOMMUNICATION UNION [ITU]
Frequency bands
● The world is divided into three regions for frequency allocation
● Within these regions frequency bands are allocated to various satellite services
Satellite Services
● Fixed satellite services (FSS)
● Broadcasting Satellite Service [BSS]
● Mobile Satellite Service [MSS]
● Navigational Satellite Service
● Metrological Satellite Service
Fixed Satellite Service
● Provide links for existing telephone networks and also for transmitting TV signals to cable
companies
C band is used for FSS
The most widely used subrange is 4to6 Ghz
6/4 Ghz - 6 uplink frequency
4 downlink frequency
Broadcasting Satellite Service [BSS]
● For direct broadcast to tue home
● Example : Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) Or
● Direct -to -home (DTH) in Europe
Ku band is widely used for DBS
Range is 14/12 Ghz
Uplink frequency-14 Ghz
Downlink frequency -12 Ghz
Mobile Satellite Service
● Mainly used by land mobile, maritime mobile (ship) and Aeronautical mobile
L-band is used for mobile satellite service and
navigation services
Navigational Satellite Service
● Mainly used for GPS
L-Band and VHF
Meterological Satellite Service
● Search and rescue service
VHF band is used for data transfer from weather
satellites
INTELSAT
. Introduction to Intelsat: Intelsat, or the International Telecommunications Satellite
Organization, is a global satellite operator providing communication services worldwide.
. History: Intelsat was founded in 1964 as an intergovernmental consortium. It was
originally set up to provide commercial satellite communication services for global
telecommunication companies and governments.
. Services Provided: Intelsat offers a range of services including broadband connectivity,
managed services, media distribution, and maritime and aeronautical communication
solutions.
. Global Coverage: Intelsat operates a fleet of satellites covering almost every part of the
world, providing seamless communication services to its customers.
. Technology and Innovation: Intelsat is known for its advancements in satellite
technology, including high-throughput satellites (HTS) and next-generation satellite
platforms, which enhance performance and efficiency.
. Partnerships and Collaborations: Intelsat collaborates with other satellite operators,
telecommunication companies, and technology firms to expand its service offerings and
reach.
. Challenges and Future Trends: Despite its dominance in the satellite communication
market, Intelsat faces challenges such as competition from terrestrial networks and
regulatory issues. However, it continues to innovate and adapt to changing market
dynamics to stay relevant.
US Domsat
. Introduction: DOMSAT, short for Domestic Satellite, is a satellite communication system
developed by the United States primarily for domestic communication needs.
. Purpose: DOMSAT was designed to provide reliable and efficient communication services
within the United States, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial communication
infrastructure was limited or unavailable.
. Deployment: The DOMSAT system utilizes a network of geostationary satellites
positioned above the United States to relay communication signals across the country.
. Services Provided: DOMSAT facilitates various communication services, including voice,
data, video, and internet connectivity, serving both commercial and government users.
. Applications: The system supports a wide range of applications, including telephony,
broadcasting, emergency communication, remote sensing, and military operations.
. Advantages: DOMSAT offers several advantages, such as wide coverage, scalability, and
the ability to quickly establish communication links in remote or disaster-affected areas.
. Technological Features: DOMSAT employs advanced satellite technology, including
high-frequency bands and multiple transponders, to ensure reliable and high-speed
communication services.
. Integration with Terrestrial Networks: DOMSAT is often integrated with terrestrial
communication networks to provide seamless connectivity and redundancy, enhancing
.
overall reliability.
. Evolution and Upgrades: Over time, the DOMSAT system has undergone upgrades and
advancements to keep pace with technological developments and changing
communication requirements.
. Future Outlook: Despite the emergence of alternative communication technologies,
DOMSAT remains an integral part of the United States' communication infrastructure,
with continued investments in modernization and expansion
Polar orbiting Satellites
. Purpose: Polar orbiting satellites are designed to orbit the Earth from pole to pole,
providing global coverage for various applications.
. Orbit: They follow a near-polar trajectory, passing over the Earth's poles on each orbit.
This orbit type allows them to cover the entire Earth's surface over time.
. Coverage: Polar orbiting satellites offer complete coverage of the Earth's surface,
making them ideal for applications like weather monitoring, environmental observation,
and surveillance.
. Advantages: They provide high-resolution imagery and data, enabling detailed
observations of the Earth's surface, atmosphere, and oceans. Their orbits also allow for
frequent revisits to the same area, enhancing monitoring capabilities.
. Applications: Polar orbiting satellites are used for weather forecasting, climate
monitoring, natural disaster detection, environmental research, and military
reconnaissance.
. Low Earth Orbit (LEO): Most polar orbiting satellites operate in a low Earth orbit (LEO),
typically at altitudes ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand kilometers above the
Earth's surface.
. Constellations: Some polar orbiting satellite systems consist of constellations of multiple
satellites working together to improve coverage, revisit time, and data collection
capabilities.
. Challenges: Polar orbiting satellites face challenges such as limited coverage of polar
regions during certain seasons, orbital decay due to atmospheric drag, and potential
collisions with space debris.
. Data Transmission: Data collected by polar orbiting satellites is transmitted to ground
stations for processing and distribution to end-users, such as meteorologists, scientists,
and government agencies.
. Future Developments: Advances in satellite technology, including miniaturization,
improved sensors, and propulsion systems, are expected to enhance the capabilities and
efficiency of polar orbiting satellites in the future.
Keplers Laws
● Keplers laws can be applied to any two bodies in space : primary and secondary
● We consider primary body as air and secondary body as satellites (artificial satellites)
● This law is used to describe the principle of satellite that revolves around the earth
Keplers first law
Statement
The path follower by a satellite around the primary will be and ellipse
Semi major axis -a
Semi minor axis -b
Barrycenter:
It is the center of mass of two body system always centeres on one of the focal points
In satellite communication thw center of mass coincides in the center of earth
Orbital parameters used to represent the path of
the satellite
. Eccentricity
. Semi major axis of the ellipse (a)
. Semi minor axis (b)
Keplers Second Law
Statemwnt:
For equal time intervals , a satellite will sweep out equal areas in its orbital plane , focussed at
barrycenter
The velocity at S2 is less than that at S1
i.e. the satellite takes longer time when it is farther away from earth
Keplers third law
Statement:
The square of the periodic time of orbit is proportional to the cube of the mean distance
between two bodies
For the artificial satellites orbiting the earth , keplers third law can be written in the form
The orbital period in seconds is ,
Uses
Definition of terms for Earth-orbiting satellites
. Geostationary Orbit (GEO):
○ Definition: A geostationary orbit is a circular orbit around the Earth at an altitude of
approximately 35,786 kilometers (22,236 miles) above the equator.
○ Easy Notes: Satellites in GEO orbit appear stationary relative to Earth's surface,
making them ideal for communication and broadcasting because they maintain
constant coverage over a fixed geographic area.
. Low Earth Orbit (LEO):
○ Definition: A low Earth orbit is an orbit with an altitude ranging from approximately
160 kilometers (100 miles) to 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) above the Earth's
surface.
○ Easy Notes: LEO satellites orbit relatively close to Earth and are commonly used for
various purposes such as Earth observation, communication, and scientific
research. They offer advantages like lower latency and higher resolution imagery.
. Medium Earth Orbit (MEO):
○ Definition: A medium Earth orbit is an orbit with an altitude ranging from
approximately 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) to 35,786 kilometers (22,236 miles)
above the Earth's surface.
○ Easy Notes: MEO satellites are positioned between LEO and GEO satellites. They
are commonly used for navigation systems like GPS (Global Positioning System)
and provide a balance between coverage area and signal strength.
. Polar Orbit:
○ Definition: A polar orbit is an orbit that passes over or near the Earth's poles,
allowing the satellite to observe or communicate with all parts of the Earth's
surface over time.
○ Easy Notes: Satellites in polar orbit offer global coverage and are commonly used
for applications such as weather monitoring, environmental observation, and
reconnaissance.
. Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO):
○ Definition: A sun-synchronous orbit is a nearly polar orbit in which the satellite
○
passes over the same region of the Earth's surface at the same local solar time on
each orbit.
○ Easy Notes: SSO satellites maintain consistent lighting conditions, making them
suitable for remote sensing and Earth observation missions, as the angle of sunlight
remains constant
Orbital Elements
Orbital elements are six parameters which are helpful for describing tue orbital motion of
satellites
Six orbital elements are
. semi major axis (a)
. Eccentricity (e)
. Mean anomaly (M)
. Argument of perigee ( ω)
. Inclination (i)
. Right ascension of ascending node(Ω)
Semi major axis (a)
Eccentricity (e)
Mean Anomaly (Mo)
Argument of perigee ( ω)
Inclination (i)
Right ascension of ascending node(Ω)
Apogee and Perigee height
