Multistatic interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) is a promising future payload for a small satellite constellation, providing a low-cost means of augmenting proven “large” SAR mission technology. The Space Flight Laboratory at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies is currently designing CanX-4 and CanX-5, a pair of formation-flying nanosatellites slated for launc...

Mobile satellite systems allow truly ubiquitous wireless communications to users anywhere and anytime, NASA’s Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) provides an ideal spacebased platform for the measurement of K/Ka-band propagation characteristics in a land mobile satellite application. Field tests for K-band propagation were conducted in three basic environments: clear line-ofsigh...

| Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) promises to become an enabling technology for the future generation of satellite communication services. Spread-spectrum modems for satellite communication currently on the market are targeted towards voice and facsimile communications at rates up to 10 kb/s using transmission band-widths up to 5 MHz. However, emerging multi-media services such as videocon...

The interaction of thruster plumes with satellite components is investigated with emphasis on the undesirable effects such as disturbance force/torque, thermal loading, and species deposition in the Korea MultiPurpose Satellite-II (KOMPSAT-II) base region. Actual configuration of satellite is simplified by considering four major components of hydrazine thrusters, S-band antenna, and surrounding...

The potential of estimating soil moisture from fully polarimetric satellite X-band SAR data is analysed for the first time. The Physical Optics model has been combined with an azimuthally rotation distribution, forming a socalled Extend-PO-model (X-PO), for the scattering process representation which includes a cross-polarized component. In addition, the eigen-based decomposition approach has b...

This article presents Eutelsat European Ka-band implementation of the broadband ToowayTM service and its evolution through a dedicated Ka-band exclusive satellite (KA-SAT). It also explains Eutelsat’s choice in selecting the Ka-band for interactive services, broadcast video and IPTV services, demonstrating the optimal consumer service synergy between existing Ku-band and new Ka-band services. K...