The Role of Components in Satellite Reliability

The economics of satellite communications depend critically upon the reliability of the satellite components. Assuming that the prelaunch and launch requirements on reliability have already been demonstrated, attention is focused on the orbital life requirements and the failure modes to be expected. It is proposed that our experience with electronic components for submarine cable communications is applicable to the orbital phase of satellite component reliability. The philosophy and methodology of design, fabrication, test and certification used in providing components for the Telstar experiment are out-lined briefly. It is concluded that all four steps coupled with a thorough knowledge of the operating environment are required to produce an economical system.