Orbital Radio Relays

Abstract

While orbital radio relays probably could not compete with microwave radio relay for communication over land, they might be useful in transoceanic communication. Three sorts of repeaters appear to be consistent with microwave art: (a) 100-ft reflecting spheres at an altitude of around 2200 miles; (b) a 100-ft oriented plane mirror in a 24-hr orbit, at an altitude of 22,000 miles; (c) an active repeater in a 24-hr orbit. Cases (a) and (b) require at 10cm wavelength 250-ft-diam antennas and 100-kw and 50kw power, respectively; in case (c), using 250-ft antennas on the ground and 10-ft antennas on the repeater, only 100 watts on the ground and 0.03 watt on the repeater would be required; in this case one should probably use smaller antennas on the ground. In cases (b) and (c) the problem of maintaining the correct orientation and position of the repeater is critical; perturbations by the moon and sun might cause the satellite to rock or wander prohibitively.