Communication Satellites

Satellites are objects or moons in the orbit of a planet. Communication satellites are artificial satellites placed in the earth’s orbit used to relay communication signals.

History of Communication Satellites

In 1957, Scientists From The Soviet Union Launched Sputnik To Orbit. This Satellite Orbited Earth For Three Months, Sending Pinging Sounds Back To Earth Via An Onboard Radio Transmitter.

In 1958, The United States Government Launched Project Signal Communication By Orbiting Relay Equipment (SCORE) From Cape Canaveral, Florida. This Was The First Satellite Ever To Relay Voice Signals. It Broadcasted A Message “Peace On Earth And Goodwill Toward Me Everywhere.”

In 1960, Courier 1B Was Launched Into Orbit. It Was The First Communication Satellite With The Ability To Recharge Its Batteries Using Solar Power.

In 1962, Telstar 1 Was Launched. It Was The Satellite That Made It Possible To Broadcast Live Telephone And Television Images From The United States To European Countries. It Was In Only In Orbit And Functional For Seven Months.

In 1965, Intelsat Was Launched By COMSAT, A Private Company That Was Backed By The Government Of The United States. It Remained In Operation Till 1969.

In 1967, Russia Created Orbita, A Television Broadcast System That Broadcast Television Signals Throughout The Country.

Between 1972 And 1975, Canada Launched Its First Three Anik Satellites. These Satellites Were So Efficient They Could Carry Twelve Colour Tv Stations, Which Was Almost Unheard Of At The Time.

Types of Communication Satellites

1.      FM Repeater Satellites

Simply put, FM repeater satellites are cross-band repeaters. Cross-band repeaters can work on different frequency bands and frequencies within the same band. This technology helps extend the range of handheld amateur radio transmitters and receivers.

Examples Of FM Repeater Satellites

·         SO-50 (Saudisat-1C). This Satellite Is A Saudi Arabian Ham Radio Satellite. It Was Launched On 20^th December 2002. This Satellite Is Available To Radio Amateurs All Over The World Anytime That Its Power Permits.

 

·          AO-91 (RadFxSat / Fox-1B). The United States owns this Amateur radio satellite. It carries a single-channel transponder for FM radio.

 

·         AO-92 (Fox-1D): This satellite was launched on 12^th January 2018. The United States built it and it carried a single-channel transponder for U/V in FM.

 

2.      Transponder Satellites

These satellites consist of many connected units working together to form a path through which signals move between the transmitting and the receiving antennas. They act as channels that relay signals between the transmitting and receiving antennas.

·         AO-7 (AMSAT-OSCAR 7): This satellite was made by Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) and launched into low orbit on 15^th November 1974. It remained operational till 1981, when its batteries failed.

 

·         FO-29 (JAS-2): This satellite carries a 100KHz wide linear transponder that operates in V/U mode. It was launched on 17^th August 1996 from Japan.

 

 

3.      Digital Satellites

These are satellites that provide flexible and efficient layers for mobile communication.

·         FalconSAT-3: This satellite was built in the United States Air Force Academy during the third microsatellite demonstration by the students. It was launched on 9th March 2007. One of four satellites carries out experiments to observe the plasma environment near earth.

 

·         NO-44 (PCsat): It was launched on 30^th November 2001. Built-in the United States, this satellite is designed for stations using hand-held devices and mobile transceivers.

 

 

4.      Re-Entered Or Inoperative Satellites

These are satellites that have been decommissioned and brought back for salvaging or abandoned in orbit due to some complications.

·         LO-75 (Cape-2): This satellite was designed to gather data and transmit it to ground stations. It has now re-entered the earth’s atmosphere.

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·         VO-52 (Hamsat): This satellite was made to provide amateur radio communication services for Indian amateur radio operators. It also provided support for international ham radio operators. Its mission is now completed.