INTELSAT type approval of military tri-band satcom terminals

Through compliance with the relevant modules of the INTELSAT Earth station standards (IESS), manufacturers of Earth stations that are intended to access the near-global INTELSAT commercial satellite communications system demonstrate that their equipment will neither use excessive space segment resources nor cause harmful interference. However, the need to individually certify compliance of a large number of like Earth stations can place an unreasonable burden on all concerned: the manufacturer; the user and INTELSAT. A “type approval” process has been developed that facilitates the use of certain groups of antennas and small-aperture Earth stations on the INTELSAT system. INTELSAT type approval of military tri-band Earth stations is described, including the rationale behind the process, the steps involved, and the characteristics important for obtaining approval. To the military communicator, INTELSAT type approval means that once a complete Earth station has such type approval, no further testing is required for access to the INTELSAT system