A Study of Passive Communication Satellites

A Report Prepared for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

S. H. Reiger

ResearchPublished 1963

A study of communication systems that use radio signals reflected from artificial earth satellites. Four main problem areas are examined: parameters affecting circuit capacity, the effect of orbital configuration on satellite visibility and continuity of service, systems trade-offs and costs, and comparisons with active repeater satellites. The conclusions are generally encouraging to the economic potential of passive reflector satellites, provided that a significant increase in reflecting cross section per unit weight over that of Echo I can be achieved and that higher power levels than are now generally available in the frequency range of interest are employed. Tolerable levels of service discontinuities appear to be possible, even when the number of satellites is not excessively large.

Document Details

  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Web Only
  • Year: 1963
  • Pages: 227
  • Document Number: R-415-NASA

Citation

Chicago Manual of Style

Reiger, S. H., A Study of Passive Communication Satellites: A Report Prepared for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1963. https://www.rand.org/pubs/reports/R415.html.
BibTeX RIS

This publication is part of the RAND report series. The report series, a product of RAND from 1948 to 1993, represented the principal publication documenting and transmitting RAND's major research findings and final research.

This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited; linking directly to this product page is encouraged. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial purposes. For information on reprint and reuse permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.

RAND is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.