New concepts for fixed ground stations serving multi-satellite missions

This paper presents the preliminary studies and results for ground stations to be used to control multi-satellite missions, such as the next generation of METEOSAT satellites, without any kind of mechanical or electric beam steering. The most important draft specifications driving the design of these ground stations will be discussed in detail, highlighting those which are contributing to envision a different system with respect to standard ground stations. The most promising antenna architectures are described and the preliminary results from antenna analyses are reported.