On the use of INTELSAT and INMARSAT to support DoD communications requirements

Non-DoD satellite communications (SATCOM) resources (i.e., commercial SATCOM and international SATCOM) are an important asset that is increasingly being used to augment, supplement, or back up military satellite communications (MILSATCOM) systems in support of DoD communications and data-transfer requirements. Several reasons exist for this. The authors study the INTELSAT and INMARSAT satellite systems, which fall into the international category of non-DoD SATCOM systems, in terms of their applicability to support DoD communications and data-transfer applications and to identify any restrictions that may exist which would limit their use. A brief overview is presented of each system with an emphasis on the current space and ground segments. This is followed by a discussion of the covenant agreements of each system with an emphasis on possible restrictions and/or limitations to their use for DoD purposes