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Satellite Communication

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Countries send communications satellites into space for the purpose of telecommunications, both corporate and military. RAND research was at the forefront of examining the technology behind satellite communication during its early development.

Essay
The Calls for More Progress on Space Governance Are Growing Louder
Space may seem infinite, but the narrow band that hugs the Earth, where satellites and space stations operate, is not. Existing space treaties won't be enough to keep satellites safe, to prevent crowding and collisions, and to preserve the promise of outer space.
Jan 5, 2023
Report
Commercial Space Market Development and Trends
The growing commercial space industry offers a range of capabilities and services, including emerging technologies. Opportunities for the U.S. Space Force and Department of Defense to leverage these capabilities for military purposes are expanding. What concerns should stakeholders address?
Apr 14, 2022

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Commentary
Ideas for Humanity's Future Approach to Space
In its first 75 years, RAND helped shape how humankind thought about and used space for the benefit of humanity. And it intends to have a similar impact on the next 75 years of space sustainability, security, and governance. Researchers identified concepts worthy of future study.
Nov 14, 2023
Report
Leveraging Commercial Space Services: Opportunities and Risks for the Department of the Air Force
RAND researchers evaluated two commercial space markets to understand opportunities, challenges, and risks that the Department of the Air Force could encounter when making decisions to invest in commercial space capabilities.
Sep 6, 2023
Commentary
How Taiwan Can Build 'Digital Resilience'
If China were to attack Taiwan, it is very likely to attempt to control all communications on the island and block contact with the rest of the world. What actions can Taiwan take to maintain contact with allies, supporters, and its own people in the event of such an invasion?
Jul 6, 2023
Journal Article
Written Evidence Submitted by RAND Europe: SPDF0020 Space Defence
This document provides RAND Europe's submission of evidence in relation to the UK House of Commons Defence Select Committee's July 2021 call for evidence on space defence.
Jul 30, 2021
Commentary
Space Safety Coordination: A Norm for All Nations
As space becomes more congested with satellites, the need for every nation to actively participate in the space safety coordination system grows. Most spacefaring countries participate, but a few countries do not—notably, Russia and China. That creates greater potential for collisions and hazards from debris.
Apr 16, 2019
Commentary
Our Reliance on Space Tech Means We Should Prepare for the Worst
Space-enabled connectivity, technology, and services support a diverse array of political, military, and economic activities, many of which modern life on Earth relies upon and which the public often takes for granted. How prepared is global society to deal with the growing reliance on this technology and to mitigate associated risks?
Mar 12, 2018
Commentary
Intelsat Crash a Setback for Space Lift Competition
Sea Launch's recent failure means more than just a lost payload and revenue for Intelsat: It means the status quo for launch services will continue for a while longer, write Dave Baiocchi and William Welser.
Feb 12, 2013
Report
Space Command Sustainment Review: Improving the Balance Between Current and Future Capabilities
Space assets are vital to the economic, social, and military interests of the United States. Sustainment complexities suggest a need to define a AFSPC commandwide sustainment philosophy separating demand, supply, and integrator processes.
Jun 17, 2007
Report
The Dynamics of Growth in Worldwide Satellite Communications Capacity
The dynamics of growth in worldwide satellite communications capacity over the past two decades is closely related to general economic growth.
Jan 1, 2003
Report
Optimal Commercial Satellite Leasing Strategies
A "rule of thumb" is set forth that communications planners can use in making efficient satellite leasing decisions while facing uncertain demand for satellite services.
Jan 1, 2003
Report
Concept-Level Analytical Procedures for Loading Nonprocessing Communication Satellites with Nonantijam Signals
Presents the analytical procedures and mathematical formulations required to construct a computer model of a military communication satellite system, load it efficiently with the radio signals required to support an operational scenario ...
Jan 1, 1996
Report
Mutual Interference in Fast-Frequency-Hopped, Multiple-Frequency-Shift-Keyed, Spread-Spectrum Communication Satellite Systems
This report presents the results of a theoretical analysis of a frequency-hopping, multiple-frequency-shift-keyed, spread-spectrum communication system using a nonprocessing communication satellite transponder.
Jan 1, 1996
Report
Improving MILSATCOM Acquisition Outcomes: Lease Versus Buy
Military satellite communication systems will cost taxpayers billions of dollars. The magnitude of these costs and their distribution in the economy will be directly affected by whether public policymakers choose to lease or to buy these systems.
Jan 1, 1985
Report
PACSAT: A Passive Communication Satellite for Survivable Command and Control
Examines passive communication satellites as alternatives to active communication satellites in the hostile environment that may exist in the postattack period of a nuclear war.
Jan 1, 1981
Report
Concepts of Signal Acquisition and Processing for Use With a Passive Space Communication Array
A passive communication satellite is attractive for relaying strategic messages between distant points under conditions where active communication satellite and other terrestrial links have been negated.
Jan 1, 1980
Report
The Feasibility of Employing Frequencies between 20 and 300 GHz for Earth-Satellite Communications Links
Develops a model for estimating in a new way the statistical distributions of signal attenuation, sky noise temperature, and total atmospheric-induced degradation.
Jan 1, 1978
Report
Media for Satellite Communication.
Satellites provide a powerful new means for distributing the communication media we have. Today at least 30 distinguishable media and multimedia combinations can be transmitted via satellite--where "medium" means a method of originating, encoding, t...
Jan 1, 1975
Report
The Communication Satellite--A Perspective for the 1970s.
International and domestic point-to-point communication satellite systems are expected to multiply throughout the decade. In developed regions, they will remain auxiliary to the overall ground communication complex, even though very significant in d...
Jan 1, 1971
Report
Satellite Spacing and Frequency Sharing for Communication and Broadcast Services.
A general approach for the efficient use of satellite orbits and the radio frequency spectrum. The protection of received signals, equipment capabilities, and pertinent systems considerations are reviewed before systematically examining the principa...
Jan 1, 1970
Report
Satellite Separation and the Allocation and Specification of Shared Spectrum Usage for Intense Exploitation.
A discussion of means of sharing the radio frequency spectrum above 3400 MHz among terrestrial microwave relay, satellite relay, and satellite earth stations for fixed or mobile communication services, including direct broadcast from satellites. Eac...
Jan 1, 1967

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RAND Topic:
Satellite Communication

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