Space segment

A telecommunications satellite. The space segment comprises the uplink, the satellite itself, and the downlink
A large parabolic antenna in a satellite Earth station

The space segment of an artificial satellite system is one of its three operational components (the others being the user and ground segments). It comprises the satellite or satellite constellation and the uplink and downlink satellite links.[1]

The overall design of the payload, satellite, ground segment, and end-to-end system is a complex task.[2] Satellite communications payload design must be properly coupled with the capabilities and interaction with the spacecraft bus that provides power, stability and environmental support to the payload.

  1. ^ Lon-Rong Hu; Rappaport, S.S. (1995). "Personal communication systems using multiple hierarchical cellular overlays". IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications. 13 (2): 406–415. doi:10.1109/49.345885. hdl:1951/39753. At the highest hierarchical level, communications satellites comprise a space segment.
  2. ^ Elbert, Bruce (2008). "Fundamentals of Satellite Systems". Introduction to Satellite Communication. Norwood, MA: Artech House. pp. 15–17. ISBN 978-1-59693-210-4. Retrieved March 25, 2019.