Communication Technology Update, 9th Edition

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Satellite Communications

Carolyn A. Lin, Ph.D.^*

Artificial satellites have been serving the world’s population in nearly every aspect of its cultural, economic, political, scientific, and military life during the past four decades. Since the successful launch of the very first communication satellite, Intelsat-I in 1965, the satellite was envisioned as the ultimate vehicle for linking the world together into a global village. As we begin the 21st century, that vision is being augmented as companion communication technologies—such as the Internet; digital voice, data, and video transmission; and networking systems—are evolving rapidly.

In a multimedia, multichannel communication environment, where wired and wireless communication technologies ...