The economic benefits of a space station relative to communications satellites are discussed in terms of technology experiments, spacecraft checkout, repair, servicing, and refurbishment (RSR), and mating an OTV with satellites for boost to GEO. The zero gravity, vacuum conditions, and atmosphere free long ranges are environmental features that can be used for testing large, flexible antennas and laser communications devices. Some resistance might be encountered to checkout in LEO due to the substantial success of launches to GEO without LEO checkout. However, new generations of larger, more complex satellites may warrant the presence of a space station to verify performance of new spacecraft. One RSR positive aspect for a space station is as a storage site for propellant, as well as for reusable OTV booster engines. Also, the space station can serve as a base for manned or unmanned repair spacecraft which will travel to GEO to fix malfunctions in geostationary satellites.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Application of a space station to communications satellites


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    1983-03-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English





    Supporting Broadband Communications Needs of the International Space Station Using Commercial Satellites

    Hadjitheodosiou, M. / Ramaswamy, S. / Baras, J. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2000


    Supporting broadband communications needs of the International Space Station using commercial satellites

    Hadjitheodosiou, Michael / Ramaswamy, Sreenivas / Baras, John | American Institute of Physics | 2000