Satellite communications technology is a tremendous force for
change and innovation. From the first satellite telephone call, to
the moon landing in 1969, to today's global coverage of the
Olympics with more than 3 billion viewers, satellites have helped
create a world community. From $300trillion annually in worldwide
electronic funds transfers to hundreds of millions of airline
reservations, satellites play critical roles in finance, business
and international trade. Despite growth in fiber optic cables, some
60% of all overseas communications is satellite based. Today, more
than 200 countries and territories rely on about 200 satellites for
domestic, regional and/or global linkages, defense communications,
direct broadcast services, navigation, data collection, and mobile
communications. Satellite communications is the largest and most
successful of all commercial space enterprises-it is currently a
$15 billion per year business which could grow to $30 billion per
year within the decade.
In the mid-1960s, when satellite communications first became a
commercial reality, the United States was not just the leader, but
was predominant in every aspect from launch vehicles to satellite
technology. The agreements under which the International
Telecommunications Satellite Organization (INTELSAT) were
established were originally negotiated on an interim basis only,
giving the United States a dominant leadership role. Japan and
Europe felt they would need a number of years to enter seriously
into the field. Today, more than a quarter of a century later,
conditions have changed dramatically.
The focus of this study is on experimental and advanced
technology being developed in R&D anddemonstration programs
rather than on today's production capabilities. The report focuses
on commercial satellite technology, and does not review
defense-related or other confidential satellite communications
capabilities. The NASNNSF panel concluded that the United States
has lost its leading position in many critical satellite
communications technologies.
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