Spacecraft Technology for Broadcasting Satellites - An Update

This paper surveys the special technologies for presently conceived direct broadcast satellite (DBS) projects using high RF power in the band 12.2-12.7 GHz, allocated to the broadcasting-satellite service in the western hemisphere. The technologies include launch vehicles, shapedbeam antennas, traveling wave tubes (TWT´s), electronic power conditioners (EPC´s) for TWT´s, lightweight high-power solar arrays, heat-pipe radiators, and output multiplexers. It is concluded that the technology is available, and only detailed engineering development and testing is required for construction.