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1980`s SPACE EXPERIENCE - G-STAR. INTELSAT 6, ETC.

Engineering

I worked 5 years on various Space Programs as a Senior Designer and Design Verification Engineer.

This is the G-STAR IV East Beam Enhancement Satellite Platform I worked as a Senior Designer. The above picture shows the Multiplexer System, Variable Power Divider, Isolator Assemblies, Rectifier Assemblies, etc. and the East Beam Enhancement. The above Assembly is what we call ``The Brain of the Satellite`` and situated in top section of the Satellite Enclosure. I was the designer for all of the above from concept through to completion - details, sub-assemblies, assemblies and installation. (All Equipment is machined to a .0005 inch -.001 inch tolerance and 2 micro-inch surface finishes along with Silver plating and or Gold plating in particular areas using 0-80unf and 2-56unf hardware) The Multiplexers and Variable Power Dividers were tuned in house before installation into Ariane 2 Rocket Cargo Bay.
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Note: G-STAR 1 Satellite was the original satellite at GTE Spacenet Communications and launched from the Kourou Space Center in French Guiana aboard the Ariane 2 Rocket. It was placed in a Geostationary Orbit at 103 degrees west.

The G-STAR IV East Beam Enhancement Satellite Program serviced most of the East Coast of the USA as shown in the picture below. This Satellite Upgrade went from a G-STAR 1 with 20 watts of power with a high noise to signal ratio for Television Broadcasting to G-STAR III and IV with 200 watts of power and servicing a much larger Region with very low noise to signal ratio. The G-STAR III and IV Satellite provided not only a larger service area but also only required the first roof top satelite dish with only a 2 foot diameter dish size needed. This made obsolete the G-STAR 1 satellite that required homes to have the 5 and 6 foot dishes installed in home backyards.

I received Cargo Bay Drawings from Hughes Space and Communications Group providing the location envelope and Installation details for the Installation part of my design. The design of the Installation of this Project was in complete communication with Hughes Aircraft Company. I was also included in supporting the Vibration and Vacuum Testing along with working directly with the Stress Department to incorporate stress analysis into the Design. The Vibration tests replicated the 30,000 lbs per square inch vibration specification issued from NASA. The Vacuum Test replicated the Outer Space condition. Any failed test results went back to the drawing board for redesign and weight relieving applied while in test.
The Lower picture of G-STAR IV is showing the Region service area (Eastcoast USA). The top picture above shows G-STAR III Region service area (Westcoast USA).
This is the INTELSAT VI Satellite Program I worked as a Senior Designer. I designed the Multiplexer Details, Assemblies and Installation. This Intelsat VI Program was awarded a 700 million dollar contract to Hughes Space and Communications Group for 5 satellites with first satellite to launch in 1986. At the time, Intelsat VI was the largest Satellite ever built and most expensive and ambiguous Satellite program in history. Supported by a Global Team including British Aerospace and the predecessor companies to EADS Astrium. Hughes proposed a Spin-Stabilized hybrid that provided 33,000 2 way phone circuits and 4 T.V. Channels. Hughes designed the Satellite to be launched by Shuttle and Ariane 4 Rocket and the first of 5 satellites flew aboard an Ariane 4 Rocket in Oct 1989 and entered first service in Apr 1990. In full service the 5 Satellites provided 120,000 simultaneous 2 way Telephone circuits using digital modulation techniques and 4 T.V. Channels. Intelsat VI became the first commercial satellite to employ Satellite Switched Time Division Multiple Access (SSTDMA) allowing Beam Interconnections according to traffic requirements.

NOTE: 3 of the 5 original INTELSAT VI Satellites remain operational and greatly exceeded their original design lives.
This is the PALAPA-B Satellite Program I was the Senior Designer for the Output Multiplexer details, Assemblies and Sub-Assemblies and Installation.

``PALAPA`` which connotes Indonesian National Unity, is a fitting name for this Satellite that continues to bring continued quality and efficiency for Television, Telephone, Facsimile and Data Transmission Services used by Indonesia. Services are also provided to Papua, New Guinea and fellow members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) -- Brunei, Malaysia, the Phillipines, Singapore and Thailand.

The PALAPA-B Satellite has 24 transponders each capable of carrying 1000 2 way Voice circuits or a Color Television Transmission. The first PALAPA-B1 launch was June 1983 aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. The second PALAPA-B2 launch was Feb 1984 aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger and the third PALAPA-B3 was launched aboard a Delta Rocket Mar 1987 and the fourth PALAPA-B4 was launched May 1992 aboard a Delta II Rocket.

The PALAPA-B Satellite is stabilized by spinning at 50 rpm. Both the Communications Antenna and Electronic Shelf are despun with respect to Earth and achieve a pointing accuracy better than .05 degrees.
This is the AUSSAT Satellite Program I worked on as a Senior Designer. Australia`s Communications Satellite was deployed from the Space Shuttle Discovery August 27 1985.
This is the TELESAT I - ANIK C1 Satellite Program I worked as a Senior Designer. The Telesat ANIK C1 Satellite was deployed from Space Shuttle Discovery.
An Old G-STAR Program Sticker of mine.
An Old INTELSAT VI Program Sticker of mine.
An Old ANIK D Program Sticker of mine.
An Old BRAZILSAT Program Sticker of mine.