IN-ORBIT TEST OF THE FIRST HUGHES UNITED-STATES DIRECT BROADCAST SATELLITE

This paper describes the in-orbit test of the first United States direct broadcasting satellite (DBS-1) developed by Hughes Space and Communications (HSC) for Hughes Communications Galaxy, Inc. and DIRECTV Inc. This satellite provides direct broadcast of digitally compressed television channels across the United States for service providers DIRECTV(TM) and United States Satellite Broadcasting (USSB). Following a brief description of the communication system of the spacecraft, the in-orbit test setup and the measurements that were performed are described. Measurements which have not been described elsewhere (antenna contour verification, modulated e.i.r.p., e.i.r.p. with wide band energy dispersal function (EDF), auto saturation, etc.) are covered in some detail. Finally, the results of the in-orbit test of DBS-1 which was performed in January 1994 are presented.