Orbital Slots, Frequencies, Footprints, and Coverage

doi:10.1117/3.2249071.ch11

Book: Satellite Communications for the Nonspecialist

Author(s): Mark R. Chartrand

Published: 2004

https://doi.org/10.1117/3.2249071.ch11

Abstract

Since all GSO satellites are in an orbit lying over the earth’s equator, the way to refer to such a satellite’s orbital position is by the longitude over which it remains stationary. The location on Earth’s surface directly below any satellite is called the subsatellite point. For GSO satellites, these are always on the equator. The position in orbit, denoted by its longitude, is called the satellite slot. See Fig. 11.1.