Satellite Communications Glossary

Satcom.  Satcom is an abbreviation for satellite communications.

Satellite antenna.  Other entries related to Satellite antenna include: Earth-coverage Beam, Zonal beams, Spot Beam, footprint, Satellite dish, Cassegrain.

Satellite broadcasting.  Other entries related to Satellite broadcasting include: Foxtel Satellite Dish, DirecTV Satellite, Satellite TV dish, Broadcast satellite, DirecTV dish network, Sky Satellite Receiver, HD satellite TV, Free Satellite, Foxtel Satellite Receiver, DirecTV Satellite Dish, Foxtel Satellite, DirecTV Satellite Receiver, Sky Satellite Dish, Sky Satellite, Satellite TV receiver.

Satellite Dish.  A satellite dish antenna is used to receive satellite signals.

Satellite DISH network.  Topics in the Satellite Communications Glossary related to Satellite DISH network are: DISH network satellite TV, Direct-broadcast Satellite Service, DISH receiver, DISH network receiver, DISH DVR, DISH network DSL.

Satellite environment.  Topics in the Satellite Communications Glossary related to Satellite environment are: Van Allen Radiation Belts, Space debris, Cold Welding, Meteoroid, Sublimation and Vaporisation, Outgassing.

Satellite Frequencies.  Satellite Frequencies is related to other topic areas in the Satellite Communications Glossary: P Band, L and S Band, Ku Band, C band, X Band, Extremely high frequency.

Satellite Handheld.  The satellite handheld phone provides voice and data services to the subscriber.

Satellite Internet.  Satellite internet refers to broadband satellite internet services offered in a number of countries.

Satellite Internet Access.  Satellite Internet access allows high-speed broadband access to the Internet.

Satellite Internet Connection.  A satellite Internet connection is a broadband internet connection.

Satellite Internet Providers.  Satellite internet providers offer broadband internet access using a satellite.

Satellite Internet Services.  Satellite internet services provide broadband internet access using a satellite.

Satellite Navigation.  Satellite navigation refers to the use of navigation signals, such as those provided by the GPS constellation of satellites, for position location.

Satellite Navigation Receiver.  A satellite navigation receiver is used to receive and decode satellite navigation signals, such as those provided by the GPS constellation of satellites.

Satellite orbit.  Topics in the Satellite Communications Glossary related to Satellite orbit are: Kepler's Laws, Geosynchronous orbit, low earth orbit, medium earth orbit, highly elliptical orbit, geostationary earth orbit, equatorial orbit, polar orbit, period, intermediate circular orbit, line of apsides, descending node, azimuth.

Satellite pager.  Satellite pager is related to other topic areas in the Satellite Communications Glossary: Uplink, Downlink, Link, Fixed Satellite Service.

Satellite phone.  The satellite phone provides voice and data services to the subscriber.

Satellite phone rental.  Satellite phone rental is one way of obtaining a satellite phone.

Satellite phone service.  Other entries related to Satellite phone service include: Satellite phone rental, Satellite telephone, Satphone, Satellite Handheld.

Satellite propagation.  Topics in the Satellite Communications Glossary related to Satellite propagation are: Beam-spreading Loss, Polarisation Loss, Rayleigh fading, Scintillation Loss, Free-space loss, Atmospheric Absorption Loss, Weather Loss, Doppler Effect.

Satellite radio.  Satellite radio is related to other topic areas in the Satellite Communications Glossary: Radio XM, Satellite radio antenna, XM car radio, Sony XM satellite radio receiver, XM satellite radio, Sony satellite radio, Portable satellite radio, Satellite radios.

Satellite radio antenna.  Topics in the Satellite Communications Glossary related to Satellite radio antenna are: Radio XM, Satellite radio, XM car radio, Sony XM satellite radio receiver, XM satellite radio, Sony satellite radio, Portable satellite radio.

Satellite radios.  Satellite radios is related to other topic areas in the Satellite Communications Glossary: Radio XM, Satellite radio, Satellite radio antenna, XM car radio, Sony XM satellite radio receiver, XM satellite radio, Sony satellite radio, Portable satellite radio.

Satellite Receiver.  In satellite communications a satellite receiver takes the signal from a satellite antenna and demodulates and decodes it.

Satellite Subsystems.  Other entries related to Satellite Subsystems include: Communications Subsystem, Structural Subsystem, Antenna Subsystem, Power Subsystem, Thermal Control Subsystem, Tracking Telemetry and Command Subsystem, Attitude and Orbit Control Subsystem, Thrust Subsystem.

Satellite system.  Topics in the Satellite Communications Glossary related to Satellite system are: Satellite Receiver, SCORE, Relay I, Communications Moon Relay I, Sputnik, Explorer I, Arab Satellite Communications Organisation, Syncom, Asia Cellular Satellite, Orbcomm, Ellipso, Telstar, Courier, Echo, Comsat, Intelsat.

Satellite technology.  Satellite technology is related to other topic areas in the Satellite Communications Glossary: Down converter, Solid-state Power Amplifier, Travelling-wave Tube Amplifier, parametric amplifier, tunnel-diode amplifier, Low-noise amplifier, Up converter, Klystron, Magnetometer, Broadband amplifier.

Satellite telephone.  The satellite telephone provides voice and data services to the subscriber.

Satellite TV (Satellite Television).  The term satellite TV (satellite television) is used to refer to television signals that are delivered direct to viewers via a satellite.

Satellite TV dish.  Topics in the Satellite Communications Glossary related to Satellite TV dish are: Satellite broadcasting, Foxtel Satellite Dish, DirecTV Satellite, Broadcast satellite, DirecTV dish network, Sky Satellite Receiver, HD satellite TV, Free Satellite, Foxtel Satellite Receiver, DirecTV Satellite Dish, Foxtel Satellite, DirecTV Satellite Receiver, Sky Satellite Dish, Sky Satellite, Satellite TV receiver.

Satellite TV receiver.  Other entries related to Satellite TV receiver include: Satellite broadcasting, Foxtel Satellite Dish, DirecTV Satellite, Satellite TV dish, Broadcast satellite, DirecTV dish network, Sky Satellite Receiver, HD satellite TV, Free Satellite, Foxtel Satellite Receiver, DirecTV Satellite Dish, Foxtel Satellite, DirecTV Satellite Receiver, Sky Satellite Dish, Sky Satellite.

Satellite Weather.  Satellite weather refers to the use of satellite sensors to gather information that can be used for weather forecasting.

Satellite wireless Internet.  Topics in the Satellite Communications Glossary related to Satellite wireless Internet are: Mobile satellite Internet, Broadband Internet satellite, Two-way satellite Internet, Satellite Internet Providers, Satellite Internet Services, Satellite Internet, Satellite Internet Connection, Satellite Internet Access.

Satphone (Sat Phone).  The satphone provides voice and data services to the subscriber.

Scintillation Loss.  In satellite communications, scintillation loss results from rapid variations in the signal’s amplitude and phase due to changes in the refractive index of the Earth's atmosphere.

SCORE.  On 18 December 1958, the US Army launched SCORE (Signal Communicating by Orbiting Relay Experiment) the first artificial communications satellite that was capable of relaying terrestrial communications. SCORE was a 68-kg conical satellite placed in an elliptical low-Earth orbit (between 182 km and 1 048 km) with a period of rotation of 101 minutes.

Sky Satellite.  The term "Sky Satellite" refers to a range of digital television services offered by BSkyB.

Sky Satellite Dish.  A Sky satellite dish antenna is used to receive Sky satellite signals.

Sky Satellite Receiver.  A Sky satellite receiver takes the signal from a Sky satellite dish and demodulates and decodes it.

Solid-state Power Amplifier (SSPA).  The final stage of the transponder includes a power amplifier such as a TWTA or a transistor solid-state power amplifier (SSPA). SSPAs are tending to replace TWTAs for low-to-medium power requirements due to their better linearity and lower power requirements.

Sony satellite radio.  Topics in the Satellite Communications Glossary related to Sony satellite radio are: Radio XM, Satellite radio, Satellite radio antenna, XM car radio, Sony XM satellite radio receiver, XM satellite radio, Portable satellite radio.

Sony XM satellite radio receiver.  Topics in the Satellite Communications Glossary related to Sony XM satellite radio receiver are: Radio XM, Satellite radio, Satellite radio antenna, XM car radio, XM satellite radio, Sony satellite radio, Portable satellite radio.

Space debris.  In addition to the possibility of impact from meteoroids, spacecraft must also run the gauntlet of a wide range of man-made material orbiting the Earth, including spent rocket bodies and satellites. Some 200 000-300 000 pieces of space debris of all sizes orbit the Earth.

Spot Beam.  Spot beams concentrate the radiated power in a very small geographic area.

Sputnik.  Satellite communications can be considered to take its first steps with the launch of the first man-made satellite, Sputnik I, which was launched by Russia on 4 October 1957.

Structural Subsystem.  The Structural Subsystem provides the framework for mounting the other satellite’s subsystems as well as the interface with the launch vehicle. It must meet the payload volume and weight constraints of the launch vehicle as well as provide access for installation and maintenance of the other subsystems.

Sublimation and Vaporisation.  In a vacuum, metals and semiconductors tend to sublimate; that is solids convert into a vapour, causing the loss of structural material from the satellite and its components. Additionally, fluids tend to vaporise so normal lubricants cannot be used.

Subsatellite Point.  The point at which a line between the satellite and the centre of the Earth intersects the Earth’s surface is called the subsatellite point.

Sun-transit Outage.  A Sun-transit outage occurs due to the particularly strong interference that results when the geometry of an orbit is such that the beam of an Earth station antenna is pointed directly at the Sun.

Syncom.  On 14 February 1963, NASA and the US Department of Defense launched Syncom I, the first satellite planned for a geosynchronous orbit. Although Syncom I was lost during injection into synchronous orbit, Syncom II and Syncom III were launched successfully on 26 July 1963 and 19 August 1964 respectively and continued service until after 1965.

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