NationSat

2019: Support of the project of creation of the NationSat satellites by Intersputnik

On June 24, 2019 it became known that the International Organization of Space Communication (IOSC) Intersputnik supported the project of creation of the NationSat satellites, first of which it has to be started in June, 2020 on the American carrier rocket Falcon-9 of SpaceX company.

The question of participation of Intersputnik in the NationSat project is approved in May, 2019. According to the management of Intersputnik, the concept of NationSat devices opens a number of opportunities for protection of orbital and frequency assignments, both for the organization, and for national administrations of member countries of MOKS.

A producer of a line of spacecrafts is the Saturn Satellite Networks company.

In Saturn Satellite Networks noted that the company purchases all components and payload for production of satellites at different American producers, and conducts assembly and testing on the production site in South California. The management of Saturn Satellite Networks also explained the choice as means of removal of the first NationSat satellite of the Falcon-9 rocket.

"Spacecrafts of the class NationSat are small geostationary satellites with a power of payload of 2.5 kW, with a dry weight of 600 kg, and complete weight, taking into account fuel for its chemical engines, - 1.7 tons. As these satellites are small, the rocket which is capable to take a way cargo into a geotransitional orbit - such opportunity, for start in June, 2020 was required for us, the SpaceX company had", noted Tom Choi, the executive chairman of Saturn Satellite Networks

The CEO of MOKS "Intersputnik" Vadim Belov reported that the first NationSat spacecraft will be equipped with transponders C - and Ku-ranges. The director of technical department of Intersputnik Grigory Baytsur specified that the advanced digital data processor which manages payload will be onboard installed, and at the request of the customer transponders can have bandwidth from 8 MHz to 108 MHz both in With - and in the Ku-range.

"When using the maximum band on the satellite there will be 16 transponders on 108 MHz, or 48 equivalent transponders on 36 MHz", noted Grigory Baytsur, the director of technical department of Intersputnik

Tom Choi noted that the final cost of the NationSat satellite in an orbit, including the start price, insurance of start-up and the first year of work, does not exceed $70 million. Thus, according to him, the cost of 1 Mbps on the NationSat satellite is about $90 a month.

According to Vadim Belov, Intersputnik already signed the agreement on use of the NationSat satellite with parent company of Saturn Satellite Networks - Airspace Internet Exchange company. Under the terms of the contract, the supplier starts production of the spacecraft immediately, at the same time Intersputnik and AirspaceIX/Saturn Satellite Networks signed the marketing agreement on promotion of satellites of the class NationSat in the world market including using orbital positions and frequencies of MOKS. Member countries of this international organization are the first to whom Intersputnik suggested to seize the project opportunities.

Tom Choi reminded that the annual volume of the world market of communication via geostationary satellites is about $12 billion.

"The lion share of this income is concentrated in hands of "Big Four" of operators who monopolized an essential part of a range on GSO. For June, 2019 the ITU includes over 190 countries, but only 30 of them have communication satellites, and the main part of spacecrafts belongs to only 10 states. Are almost unavailable to the countries of the smaller size of frequency, and the last opportunity for them - Annex 30B adopted by ITU, and the NationSat satellites are projected for work in these frequency bands. For example, the countries of Africa which annually together pay $1.5 billion to "Big Four" of satellite operators, or for $30 million for each used spacecraft. Using the NationSat satellites, the countries of Africa easily are able to afford own satellites that will give them possibilities of economy and providing rural areas with communication", noted Tom Choi, the executive chairman of Saturn Satellite Networks

As of June, 2019, offers on the NationSat satellites already requested 12 potential clients, and AirspaceIX/Saturn Satellite Networks expects the first several orders until the end of 2019. In the medium term of Saturn Satellite Networks is going to deliver two-four NationSat spacecrafts a year. Within the closest five years of Saturn Satellite Networks assumes to deliver from 10 to 20 NationSat satellites.

In Saturn Satellite Networks noted that the NationSat satellite with With - and Ku-transponders, including an output to an orbit and an insurance, will cost approximately $70 million. The term of its production is 12-15 months (against 24-48 months for traditional GSO-satellites which cost not less than $200 million and have weight of 3 tons). The NationSat sizes - 1 m x 1 m x 1.5 m (against 5 m x 3 m x 2 m at traditional devices on GSO), and digital payload allows to change coverages and capacity of transponders in an orbit. By calculations of Intersputnik, the price for 1 MHz on the NationSat satellite will be less than $250 a month on all SAS, and the monthly cost of 1 Mbps will appear lower than $100 (when using the receiving antenna with a diameter of 1.2 m).^[1]

Notes