Difference between revisions of "Relay Satellite"
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| − | A [[Relay Satellite]] device is used to relay communications over a planetary horizon. The satellite has solar power cells or can operate from internal batteries for up to 72 hours, accepting and relaying up to 10 channels of audio or 2 channels of video and 4 audio. The device can be remote | + | A [[Relay Satellite]] device is used to relay communications over a planetary horizon. The satellite has solar power cells or can operate from internal batteries for up to 72 hours, accepting and relaying up to 10 channels of audio or 2 channels of video and 4 audio channels. The device can be remote controlled and can accept and hold messages until a coded signal is received. Modifications can be made to allow the use of burst communication which compresses a ten-minute message to only about two seconds of transmission time. The satellite has no motive power other than small attitude jets which use a compressed gas to change the orientation of the sphere. Assuming a stable orbit, the relay satellite has a useful life of about five years. The devices can be overhauled and used again. Three satellites orbiting equidistant from each other can relay communications to almost any point on a planetary surface. Equipped with a long-range communicator, the device has a range of about 80,000 kilometers at maximum power. |
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Latest revision as of 10:45, 6 July 2020
| Relay Satellite | |
|---|---|
| Type | Communications Gear |
| Tech Level | TL–6 |
| Cost | Cr10,000 |
| Size | 55 liters |
| Weight | 50kg |
A Relay Satellite device is used to relay communications over a planetary horizon. The satellite has solar power cells or can operate from internal batteries for up to 72 hours, accepting and relaying up to 10 channels of audio or 2 channels of video and 4 audio channels. The device can be remote controlled and can accept and hold messages until a coded signal is received. Modifications can be made to allow the use of burst communication which compresses a ten-minute message to only about two seconds of transmission time. The satellite has no motive power other than small attitude jets which use a compressed gas to change the orientation of the sphere. Assuming a stable orbit, the relay satellite has a useful life of about five years. The devices can be overhauled and used again. Three satellites orbiting equidistant from each other can relay communications to almost any point on a planetary surface. Equipped with a long-range communicator, the device has a range of about 80,000 kilometers at maximum power.
- Steve Harmon. FCI Consumer Guide (FASA, 1981), 28.