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Aviation History
1964
1964 - 2126.PDF
RIGHT International, 23 July 1964 147 TOWARDS A GLOBAL COMSAT SYSTEM (continued from page 146) ments for the system may be impeded or prevented by international political developments that are not directly related to the system. Moreover, the system may not be designed to operate in spite of intentional interference (e.g., jamming) and, if the operations of the system are purposely interfered with by a foreign government, elimination of the interference would depend on action by the United States Government (or other interested governments). "(11) Other countries may have or may acquire the ability to establish and operate a satellite system which would compete with the system the corporation proposes to establish. Governments of certain foreign countries from time to time have announced that communications satellite development activities are being pursued or considered in such countries; but the corporation does not know of any plan for the establishment by any other country of a com- munications satellite system which would compete with the system contemplated by the program of the corporation ... "(12) Under the provisions of the Act, the activities in which the corporation has authority to engage are, in general, those related or incidental to the development, ownership and operation of a commercial communications satellite system as defined in the Act. In the event that future technological developments provide a basis for new types of communications systems which do not use Earth satellites and satellite terminal stations on the Earth's surface, the corporation might be unable to take advantage of such developments without appropriate legislation. Such legislation might not necessarily be required by other enterprises. "(13) The corporation has public responsibilities under the Act, as well as responsibilities to its shareholders. Among other things, in the interests of national policy, the corporation may be required to provide certain communications services to particular foreign points in circumstances in which it would be contrary to the business judgment of the corporation to do so. "(14) The corporation does not presently hold any patent rights. The manufacture and operation of the equipment and facilities required for a commercial communications satellite system may involve the use of inventions which are or may be subject to patent rights held by others. However, it is believed that access to such patent rights, or to satisfactory alternatives, should be obtainable on reasonable terms ... Also listed in the prospectus was the following estimate of costs —together with a warning that actual costs might vary considerably from estimated costs, "depending upon the characteristics of the system, unforeseen factors affecting adversely launching costs or costs of components, and technological developments or other factors." Experimental Operational SatellitesConduct of certain communications tests and limited operations by means of an experimental operationalsatellite proposed to be placed in synchronous orbit above the Atlantic Ocean in mid-1965 S14-20m System DevelopmentPreparation of satellite engineering designs and develop- ment of prototype satellites of various types, pre-paratory to a decision, proposed to be made in the latter part of 1965, as to whether the commercialsatellite system will be a medium altitude system or a synchronous systemManufacture and placing in orbit of satellites consti- tuting a commercial communications satellite system,to provide limited service estimated to begin in 1966 and to be in full operation in the latter part of 1967 ..Construction in the United States by mid-1966 of a command and control center for the satellite system Proposed Terminal StationsConstruction by the corporation of satellite terminal stations required in the United States Research and Development and Administration Additional research and development and administra-tive activities Total $55-65m $75-90m $9-10m $17-20m $2O-25m S190-230m In spite of the underlying caution evident throughout much of the prospectus, there was no lack of enthusiasm from members of the public on June 2. The Comsat Corporation's shares were heavily oversubscribed, and investors were limited to a maximum of 50 shares each. Most had to accept much less. The corporation is committed to two distinct phases in its development of a commercial comsat system. These involve the "early capability" or "Early Bird" synchronous satellite, operating primarily on an experimental basis, and the "initial" or "basic" system whose characteristics have not yet been determined. "Early Capability" System On March 4 this year the Communications Satellite Corporation applied to the Federal Communications Commission for authority to construct and place in orbit a synchronous communication satellite in the spring of 1965 on an experimental/operational basis. Launched into a near-equatorial orbit over the Atlantic, this satellite will provide a communication link between North America and Europe as an initial step in the development of a global system. This satellite will be abie to handle up to 240 high-quality telephone voice circuits, or alternatively message traffic, facsimile trans- missions or black-and-white television. The primary design objec- tive is for a lightweight spacecraft with an expected operational life of at least one year, but carrying on-board spacecraft control designed to keep the satellite on station for a period of three years. Weight of the satellite at launch will be approximately 1501b, and weight in orbit (after fuel and motor expendables) will be about 851b. A thrust-augmented Delta wilL be used to launch the space- craft from Cape Kennedy. The communication repeater aboard the satellite, the corporation has specified, is to be compatible with the type of ground station already in use or under development. Two complete satellites are to be produced for the corporation by Hughes Aircraft Company, together with materials for one additional satellite, at a cost of approximately $8m. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is to provide two launch vehicles and associated launch services. If the first launch is not successful the second satellite will be launched with a back-up booster, and the corporation is planning to arrange with NASA for an option on a possible third launch should this prove necessary. The corporation refers to these first-generation satellites as its "new facilities," and in its application to the FCC stated that: "Construction of the new facilities will commence shortly after this application is approved by the Commission and the applicant plans to launch the first satellite in March-April 1965, and to launch the back-up satellite if necessary in April-May 1965, and will be able to provide a replacement satellite for subsequent launch if desired." In giving details of the proposed system the corporation stated that the planned position of the satellite would be at 30° W, with an inclination not exceeding 10°. A drift in longitude between 20° and 45° W might be permitted, however. The next step in the corporation's plans to establish this initial system was to apply to the Federal Communications Commission Continued on page IS3 Full-scale model of the Early Bird satellite being built for the US Com- munications Satellite Corporation by Hughes Aircraft Corp. This is an improved version of the Syncom spacecraft
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