The footprint of a communications satellite

Communications satellite

A communications satellite is an artificial satellite stationed in space for the purpose of telecommunications...

 is the ground area that its transponder

Transponder

In telecommunication, the term transponder has the following meanings:...

s offer coverage

Coverage (telecommunication)

In telecommunications, the coverage of a radio station is the geographic area where the station can communicate. Broadcasters and telecommunications companies frequently produce coverage maps to indicate to users the station's intended service area. Coverage depends on several factors, such as...

, and determines the satellite dish

Satellite dish

A satellite dish is a dish-shaped type of parabolic antenna designed to receive microwaves from communications satellites, which transmit data transmissions or broadcasts, such as satellite television.-Principle of operation:...

 diameter

Diameter

In geometry, a diameter of a circle is any straight line segment that passes through the center of the circle and whose endpoints are on the circle. The diameters are the longest chords of the circle...

 required to receive each transponder

Transponder

In telecommunication, the term transponder has the following meanings:...

's signal. There is usually a different map for each transponder

Transponder

In telecommunication, the term transponder has the following meanings:...

 (or group of transponder

Transponder

In telecommunication, the term transponder has the following meanings:...

s) as each may be aimed to cover different areas of the ground.

Footprint maps

Coverage map

Coverage maps are designed to indicate the service areas of radiocommunication transmitting stations. Typically these may be produced for radio or television stations, for mobile telephone networks and for satellite networks. Such maps are alternatively known as propagation maps...

 usually show either the estimated minimal

Minimal

Minimal can mean:* In mathematics, see Minimal element.* In music, see Minimalist music.* In electronic music, see Minimal techno.* In art see Minimalism.* In computing, see Computing minimalism.* Names:...

 satellite dish

Satellite dish

A satellite dish is a dish-shaped type of parabolic antenna designed to receive microwaves from communications satellites, which transmit data transmissions or broadcasts, such as satellite television.-Principle of operation:...

 diameter

Diameter

In geometry, a diameter of a circle is any straight line segment that passes through the center of the circle and whose endpoints are on the circle. The diameters are the longest chords of the circle...

 required or the signal strength in each area measured in dBW.

External links

• Interactive map by SES Astra
  SES Astra
  Astra is the name for the geostationary communication satellites, both individually and as a group, which are owned and operated by SES S.A., a global satellite operator based in Betzdorf, in eastern Luxembourg. The name is sometimes also used to describe the channels broadcasting from these...
  
   showing the footprints of their satellites serving Western Europe.
• Links to interactive maps from Intelsat
  Intelsat
  Intelsat, Ltd. is a communications satellite services provider.Originally formed as International Telecommunications Satellite Organization , it was—from 1964 to 2001—an intergovernmental consortium owning and managing a constellation of communications satellites providing international broadcast...
  
   for their fleet of satellites.
• Links to interactive maps for SES World Skies's fleet of satellites.
• Link to maps for Russian Satellite Communications Company satellites
• Link to satellite footprints from SatBeams for Geostationary satellites