Comparison Research on Mobile Communication Satellite Constellation for China

Paper number

IAC-07-B2.I.11

Author

Dr. Hongyan Xu, China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), China

Coauthor

Mr. Guixing Cao, China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), China

Coauthor

Dr. Xianjun Jiao, China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), China

Coauthor

Mrs. Na Zhou, China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), China

Coauthor

Mr. Xiaojin Zeng, China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), China

Coauthor

Mr. Jinchang Guo, China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), China

Coauthor

Mr. Junqiang Ren, China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), China

Coauthor

Dr. Yufei Shen, China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), China

Coauthor

Dr. Zhao Liu, China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), China

Year

2007

Abstract

Mobile communication satellite constellation is of important value for economic and technology development. The communication constellation’s construction and development is dependent on the requirements and objectives above all. When all technical bottlenecks are overcome, the requirements for application will become vital and decisive factor among all the non-technical ones. It directly determines the satellite constellation’s orbits, layout and distribution, etc. There are already many communication satellite networks at work, such as Odyssey, Iridium and Globalstar, which put forward references and challenges for later constellations. The coverage and the investments and earnings are two decisive factors for satellite constellation building. 
    Based on the analysis and reference of the current mobile communication satellite networks, several typical constellations are studied and compared from coverage and economics with an eye to the developments and requirements for China in present and dozens of years.
    The communication satellite constellation’s construction will inevitably be divided into several phases for China’s situation. So the requirements in different phases will demand different construction schemes, and the technical inheritance and functional expansibility are the two measures of satellite constellation. In consideration of the two kinds of coverage requirements: “Zonal Coverage=> Global Coverage” and “Regional Coverage=> Global Coverage”, LEO Constellation, MEO Constellation and Hybrid Constellation are compared and analyzed in both coverage and economics. The research puts up consults and reference for China and other organizations that are interested in mobile communication satellite constellation.

Abstract document

IAC-07-B2.I.11.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-07-B2.I.11.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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