High-capacity Ka commercial communications satellite architectures for defense applications

This paper proposes multiple high capacity Ka satellite design options that can be used for resilient communications architectures for national security. These design options are strongly influenced by the emergence of high-throughput commercial narrow beam satellites that have recently been placed in service. Resilience requires rapid deployment of aggregate capacity, support for multiple connectivity patterns, flexibility in coverage areas including hot spots with high capacity density, compatibility with heterogeneous ground segments, and finally support for a variety of applications including fixed, ground mobile, maritime, and airborne. The paper analyzes performance of candidate architectures for driving requirements, provides costs estimates for acquisition and operations, and makes specific recommendations consistent with military interest in disaggregation of missions with smaller satellites and enhanced use of commercial SATCOM for government use.