ITALSAT F2 and its EMS payload for mobile communications

Abstract

The Italian domestic communication satellite system designed to provide digital communication capacity over Italy is discussed. A brief description of the two satellite systems, the Ka band communication system architecture and services, is provided. Special emphasis is given to the development and implementation of the European Mobile Services (EMS) Payload including the main technological challenges that have been met during the design phase of the project. A description of the main mission parameters is provided. A review of the requirements that European Space Agency (ESA) specified for the EMS Payload, including the frequency plan and the services areas is given. A functional description of the payload architecture is presented together with the main tradeoffs that have led to the specific design.