Introduction

Orbiting satellite systems provide communication services to a large geographic area. For more than 30 years, satellites have been providing voice and data communication service around the globe; however, the cost for equipment and services has been very high.

In 1997, the high cost of satellite equipment and service began to reduce dramatically. New high capacity satellites and digital technology allow for lower cost service and advanced messaging services. Early satellites were analog. After the development of digital satellites, which offer more capacity, several more satellites were put into orbit, followed by the next-generation of low orbiting satellites. These new developments are rapidly bringing the cost of equipment down by over 75%.

Although not commonly known to those in developed nations, more than half the world s population live more than two hours travel time from the closest telephone! Satellite communications are providing a way to service these remote areas with telephones, news and information feeds.

Satellites orbit in free space, where there is little or no air. In such an environment, there is little to slow the satellites down or wear them out once they are sent into orbit. The useful life time of a satellite is generally more dependent upon fuel reserves and technological obsolescence than on wear. Satellites are typically classified by the type or height of the orbit they have been placed around the earth orbit. There are three classes of satellites in orbit today: geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO), medium earth orbit (MEO) and low earth...