telecommunications satellite

Telecommunications satellites are operated by international telecommunications companies and are used for the point-to-point transmission of telecommunications and communications services over long distances. They illuminate a relatively small footprint with low transmission power and transmit the various telecommunications services, teleservices, and communications services between telecommunications companies and television stations.

Services transmitted over the satellite channels include telephone calls and other telecommunications services, Internet connections, data transmission, satellite-based mobile communications, and broadcast radio and television, the broadcast of which is carried by direct and communications satellites.

Because the transit times from the ground station to the satellite and back depend on the altitude of the satellite's orbit, certain satellites can only be used for certain services. For example, geostationary satellites are used only for services where the delay time does not affect transmission quality because of the large delay times. This means that LEO satell ites are not used to transmit telephone calls or other time-critical services. In contrast, LEO satellites, with their low delay times, can be used for satellite-based mobile communications.

Another aspect ofsatellite transmission is antenna tracking. Geostationary satellites are also called synchronous satellites because they always orbit the earth synchronously. Therefore, the parabolic anten nas need only be pointed at the satellite that appears stationary. In contrast, the satellite antennas of satellites orbiting the earth must be constantly tracked.

Classic telecommunications satellites are the Intelsat satellites, Inmarsat and the German telecommunications satellite DFS-Kopernikus; satellites for broadcast services include Astra and Eutelsat.