Satellite

The earth station will point its antenna in a particular direction - determined by the space station with which it is operating.

If the space station is in geostationary orbit, the earth station will have a fixed pointing direction, usually directly at the space station. However, if the space station is in non-geostationary orbit, the earth station will usually track a particular space station.

The pointing direction affects the antenna gain used in the construction of the coordination contours.

For earth stations operating with geostationary space stations, two pointing options are available. To point the antennas at a selected satellite, or to give a satellite longitude and inclination as user inputs. The Satellite tab for GSO satellites is shown below.

Click on the ‘Choose a satellite …’ button and you are given a list of satellites.

If you type in the Longitude and Inclination, you have the option to save this satellite to your database.

The Satellite Tab for non-GSO satellites is shown below.

Again, if you click on the ‘Choose a satellite …’ button you are given a list of satellites.

If you type in the parameters you have the option to save the satellite to your database.

For earth stations operating with GSO satellites, the pointing direction is indicated on the map by a blue line. The line shows the azimuth along which the earth station antennas are pointed.