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Handbook on Small Satellites

Ali R. Ebadi et al.

Geneva: ITU, 2023 edition (2023), viii, 200 pp.

"In the field of small satellites, the technical and capital barriers to entry are often low, and small satellite development can be more affordable and rapid for various entities (start-ups, universities, research institutions, etc.) due to their lower cost, simpler design, flexible launching requi ... rements and modular payload configurations. The development of small satellites is an evolution in the overall satellite industry, which provides opportunities for greater and easier access to, and use of, space services by all countries. Governments and private enterprises are developing small satellite projects to promote not only the traditional satellite applications in data communications, Earth exploration, space research, monitoring of ground environment including climate change and global warming, space environment monitoring, satellite navigation and positioning, education, agriculture, forestry, disaster recovery, scientific experiments, testing innovative technologies, national defence, but also the development of multi-satellite fleets (constellation) for the satellite internet access, and further enabling integration with 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT), smart cities, business intelligence and many other areas in completing various difficult tasks in space. The vast range of possible diverse applications stems from a number of small satellite characteristics that can be summarised as follows: rapid build/launch cycle; affordable projects with low capital investment and operating costs; modular and standardized design (e.g. CubeSats standard); lower latency due to lower orbits; seamless coverage to all areas of the world when used in constellations; easy to expand, update, renew, augment and replenish the satellite fleet. In recent years, small satellites have been steadily launched, which gradually proved the feasibility of small satellite constellations. The small satellite industry has seen an incredible surge in the number of small satellites launched over the last few years. Small satellites with advanced technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning in the future are likely to bring new features to the field of satellite communications [...] Based on the above reflections and observations, the purposes of this Handbook on Small Satellites are as follows: to extend international cooperation among all ITU Member States, entities and organizations for the development and rational use of small satellites; to promote the adoption of small satellite technologies on a worldwide basis while striving to meet in a rational, equitable, effective, efficient, economic, and timely way of use of radiofrequency spectrum and satellite-orbit resources; to provide a detailed guidance on the regulatory environment and procedures, specifically the application of the Radio Regulations, for administrations, small satellite operators and service providers in the study/research, design, launch and application of small satellites; to promote and to offer technical assistance to developing countries, enterprises and individuals in the field of small satellite utilization; to help administrations/new entrants with information on the relevant space services with allocated radio-frequency spectrum, characterization and description of small satellites, characteristics of space and Earth segments, types of missions, space object registration, launch considerations, as well as space debris mitigation; to raise international awareness on current practices and applications with key drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities; to ensure interference-free operations of small satellite systems by implementing the Radio Regulations and regional agreements, as well as updating the system in an efficient and timely manner through the processes of world and regional information sharing and cooperation; to provide a reference tool for satellite operators and service providers interested in operating or utilizing such satellites, as well as national regulators to manage the small satellite applications." (Introduction, pages 1-2) more

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Satellite Jamming in Iran: A War Over Airwaves

Small Media (2012), 71 pp.

"This report has established that the jamming of Persian-language satellite TV channels is endemic in Iran, and is having adverse effects on both broadcasters and viewers alike. In Iran, satellite television is one of the few sources of news, entertainment, and commentary not controlled by the count ... more

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La télévision par satellite: Aspects juridiques internationaux

Philippe Achilleas

Paris: Montchrestien, 2nd ed. (1997), 198 pp.

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An Educator's Guide to Communication Satellite Technology

Kenneth A. Polcyn

Washington, DC: Academy for Educational Development (AED); Information Center on Instructional Technology (ICIT) (1973), xv, 99 pp.

"This guide provides educational planners with an awareness and understanding of communication satellite technology, its current uses, and some of the tentative plans for educational experimentation. The first part introduces the general nature of communication satellites in terms of technological c ... more

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Communication in the Space Age: The Use of Satellites by the Mass Media

Paris: UNESCO (1968), 200 pp.

"The full impact of satellite communication will be realized only when it becomes feasible to spacecast directly into homes, facilitating inexpensive long-distance calls and enabling conferences to be held via telephone and closed-circuit television. Business travel will diminish. Space communicatio ... more

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Space Communication and the Mass Media: A UNESCO Report on the Occasion of the 1963 Space Communications Conference

Paris: UNESCO (1963), 24 pp.

"This report defines and analyzes potential aspects of worldwide communication by satellite, lists technical problems, and suggests uses of space communication to promote education, cultural exchange, and information flow." (https://files.eric.ed.gov)

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Les Communications spatiales et les moyens de grande information: Rapport présenté par l'Unesco à l'occasion de la Conférence de 1963 pour les Communication spatiales

Paris: UNESCO (1963), 26 pp.

"Historique de l'évolution des télécommunicateurs en général et de l'utilisation des télécommunications spatiales pour l'information - Applications particulières dans is pays dits en voie de développement - Analyse des problèmes techniques que posent les télécommunications - Circuits exi ... more