Infrastructure
Communications Satellites
Ground Networks
2012 – MSS Satellite Design Activities
MSS providers offer satellite-based communications directly to consumers through devices such as mobile phones. Traditionally, these satellites have provided basic voice and data services to receivers aboard ships and in…
2012 – Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) Space Activities
One MSS industry leader, Iridium, is implementing a major network upgrade. In June 2010, Iridium selected France’s Thales Alenia Space as prime contractor for its second-generation satellite constellation, named Iridium…
2012 – Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) Satellite Design Activities
The number of FSS satellites has increased tremendously over the past five years due to the growth of several applications that drive the need for satellite capacity. Deregulation of international…
2012 – Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) Space Activities
GEO satellites can allow a signal to be beamed over a wide fixed coverage area, with the potential to reach a third of the Earth’s surface. They are thus ideal…
2013 – Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) Space Activities
Another MSS industry leader is Iridium, which operates a LEO constellation of ## active satellites to provide global coverage. The Iridium constellation uses intersatellite links to route network traffic directly…
2013 – MSS Satellite Design Activities
The original and still-dominant MSS operator, Inmarsat, uses a fleet of nine GEO satellites to provide mobile services to land, maritime, and aviation customers. Since its founding in 1979, Inmarsat’s…
Mobile Satellite Service Satellite Design
MSS providers offer satellite-based communications directly to consumers through devices such as mobile phones. Traditionally, MSS has provided basic voice and data services to ships and locations underserved by terrestrial…
2013 – Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) Satellite Design Activities
Over the past few years, several companies have deployed new satellites designed to use the relatively less crowded Ka-band set of frequencies to support delivery of space-based internet broadband. Operators…
Fixed Satellite Service Satellite Design
International rights to geostationary orbital slots are vital to FSS operators that need to reach the most promising markets. The orbital arc is becoming congested with more satellites utilizing the…