An Examination of the Governmental Use of Military and Commercial Satellite Communications

Abstract

This chapter provides information concerning the use by governments of military and commercial satellites systems for strategic and defense purposes. It discusses dedicated communications satellite systems designed for particular uses and the so-called dual use of commercial systems to support military and strategic purposes. It explains various pathways that can be followed by governments to obtain communications satellite services to support military uses. These paths include: (1) dedicated satellites, (2) hybrid satellites (both military and commercial payloads on a single satellite), (3) shared satellite facilities via intergovernmental agreements, (4) guaranteed long-term leases, (5) ad hoc leases of capacity on demand, and (6) a long-term partnership between a government and a commercial partner as is the case with the Skynet 5 program in the United Kingdom.