Performance of a lightweight, low-cost geostationary X-band MILSATCOM

The authors describe a payload concept for a new class of X -band satellites to supplement current X-band MILSATCOMs. The design exercise seeks to show that substantial communications capacity may be provided in a small, easily proliferated payload put into geostationary orbit to supplement existing and planned satellites without changing the ground segment. The concept presented is totally compatible with existing or near-term planned X-band satellites. Coverage, connectivity, carrier capacity, and a mass estimate for the payload concept are described