1. Introduction

Way back in 1945, a science fiction writer wrote about devices in space that would allow all humanity to communicate with one another. The devices would be placed in such an orbit that they would seem to be standing still from Earth.

That was the author Arthur C Clarke.

 

Little did he know that 20 years after writing that article the first satellite would be launched into geostationary orbit. Namely the Intelsat 1 Early Bird, launched on April 6th 1965.

By now there are over active 300 satellites operating there.

The special geostationary orbit has been named the 'Clarke orbit' in his honour.

This mini-web will take you through the aspects of satellite communication you need to know about to cover your course.