Planning of in-orbit-testing activity of the ITALSAT propagation experiment in the 20, 40 and 50 GHz bands

The propagation package mounted on the ITALSAT consisted of three beacon transmitters at 20, 40, and 50 GHz. The main characteristics of the equipment are described. Preliminary measurements have been performed with the aim of testing the performance of the satellite in orbit and to acquire information about the propagation of the 40- and 50-GHz bands through the atmosphere. The authors report on the most significant results obtained during the in-orbit-testing activity pertaining to the propagation payloads. These results demonstrate that the measured effective isotropically radiated power (EIRP) value significantly exceeded the specification value. The attenuation observed when some clouds crossed the antenna beam appeared to exceed significantly the values suggested by the CCIR for the same type of clouds