Thus, if such space objects were to be obliged to maintain a distance of 2° from each other while in orbit above the equator, then no more than 180 such space objects would ever have safe access to or a presence at geostationary level.However, such a simplistic approach must give way to the practical prospect of using one space object in one orbital slot for a multiplicity of functions thereby extending its performance. It has been suggested that 1,800 space objects could function simultan- eously at the geostationary height. The antennas on communications satellites have been small. That of Intelsat IVA was 1.27x1.27 m. That of Intelsat V was 2.44 m. That of the ATS-6 was 9 m. It has been proposed that the microwave antenna for a geostationary space object broadcasting on a 2.45 GHz frequency would be 1 km in diameter. However, much larger solar panels are needed on a SPS to capture solar energy for conveyance to the microwave antenna and ultimately to Earth. Both types ‘The figure of 180 satellites placed along the equator was mentioned by the Colombian delegate to the Legal Sub-committee of COPUOS on March 31, 1977. U.N. Doc. 105/C.2/SR.277, p. 3, April 5, 1977. ^This is based on the following proposition: "The circumference of the geostationary orbit is approximately 165,000 miles. A one-degree segment of this orbit is about 460 miles. If satellite station-keeping were good to about ± 0.1 degree (actually it can be maintained more precisely), then one degree of orbit space could hold five satellites with virtually no danger of collision, and the full 360° could accommodate 1,800 satellites. Actually, since the geostationary orbit has considerable depth and width and present satellites range between ten and twenty feet in diameter, the orbit could physically accommodate a much greater number without collision. The question of orbital slot scarcity thus has little to do with purely physical limitations." Walter R. Hinchman, "Issues in Spectrum Resource Management," in The Future of Satellite Communications, Resource Management and the Needs of Nations, The Twentieth Century Fund, p. 52 (1970). Burton I. Edelson and Walter L. Morgan, "Orbital Antenna Farms," 15 Astronautics & Aeronautics, No. 9, p. 22 (September 1977). SlSFC-JSC, "Solar Power Satellite Baseline Review, (Preliminary)," p. 16, NASA, Washington, D.C. (July 13, 1978).
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTU5NjU0Mg==