Antenna subsystem for the INTELSAT VII spacecraft

A multifunction antenna subsystem consisting of communications and telemetry/command antennas for the INTELSAT VII communications satellite is described. The antenna subsystem design is dictated by a requirement to provide multiple communications links between the Earth and the spacecraft and by a need to track, command, and monitor the spacecraft during all phases of its flight. The eight different types of antennas on the spacecraft are described in detail. The subsystem performance has been analytically verified by computer modeling. The basic hardware design has been completed, and fabrication and testing of the engineering model hardware are in progress.<>