Space Systems/Loral claims it will launch the most powerful commercial communications satellite platform ever to fly in 2002.
Dubbed the 20.20, Loral says the satellite will offer the lowest cost on a per-transponder, or equivalent, basis in the industry. Moreover, with its size and power, the 20.20 will be able to handle multi-region and digital processing payloads for an unlimited range of applications.
"Our new 20.20 should meet our customers' needs — for higher power, greater payload capacity, longer life on orbit, lower cost, and faster time-to-orbit — well into the twenty-first century," said Robert E. Berry, president of SS/L.
SS/L's geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) 20.20 satellite's revolutionary design will enable it to deliver up to 25 kw of total satellite power and to carry more than 150 transponders, or the equivalent, in on-board digital signal processing equipment.
"With this concentration of power and payload-carrying capacity, the 20.20 approaches the equivalent of two of today's satellites, yet it occupies only one orbital slot, making full use of prime orbital locations to serve broader coverage areas. In addition, the customer avoids the cost of a second launch," according to Mr. Berry.
In addition to higher power, the 20.20 design provides greater accommodation for communications equipment, so the new platform can house and support payloads that include next-generation communications systems. These advanced systems will give SS/L customers better frequency use, improved regional and beam performance, and larger areas of coverage for each satellite.
New, larger, and more efficient power-generating solar arrays with collectors and improved mechanisms; better power-control and delivery units; improved batteries; a more efficient means of heat dissipation; proven, fuel-efficient ion propulsion thrusters for stationkeeping; and advanced command and control systems all combine to provide a longer useful life on orbit for the 20.20.
The 20.20's modular design will reduce the number of parts, helping to increase reliability and to decrease cost to the customer and time-to-orbit.
