The Military Applications of MEO and ICO Commercial Satellite Systems

Abstract

At the dawn of the 21st century several low and medium earth orbit commercial satellite constellations will be operational and they will be able to provide high bandwidth global communications in voice, data, and multimedia services for mobile consumers and also "users in the move." This research evolves as a continuation of previous studies (on Iridium, Globalstar, Teledesic, and Odyssey), and considers the ICO as well as the Teledesic and GBS systems in an effort to provide a comprehensive model architecture. This model accommodates narrowband, wideband, and broadcast requirements, respectively, of the U.S. MILSATCOM in addition to the communication needs of a model UN peacekeeping mission. The application of these systems to U.S. MILSATCOM coincides perfectly with the U.S. defense doctrine of a CONUS-based military with the capability of rapid global power projection to respond to crises throughout the global arena. Instead of investing heavily in new satellite systems, the U.S. military services can use the forthcoming commercial LEO and MEO systems to meet the information requirements of tactical commanders.