An example of satellite "spot beam" footprints with a reception
area of Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and Central Command
(CENTCOM). This coverage is for US Air Force satellites F8, F9,
F10 and SATCOM KU2 as well as leased commercial satellites
Galaxy 10 and Telstar 11. These satellites were used to
transmit Video, Television and Internet data to remote locations
and ships that otherwise would not have that capability. These
maps were created for planning purposes as well as operations.
The ellipses/horseshoes indicate the location where
reception is available and the necessary antenna diameter for
receiving data. When searching for a satellite, it's very
important to know if the beam reaches your location.
The
footprint of a communications satellite is the ground area that
its transponders offer coverage, and determines the satellite
dish diameter required to receive each transponder's signal.
There is usually a different map for each transponder (or group
of transponders), as each may be aimed to cover different areas.
Footprint maps usually show either the estimated minimum
satellite dish diameter required or the signal strength in each
area measured in dBW.
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