In-orbit-testing for DBS satellites

The term in-orbit-testing (IOT) is used to describe the wide range of tests that are carried out on a satellite after launch. For the purposes of this paper, the meaning of IOT is restricted to the testing of the broadcast payload. It is required for three main purposes: beginning of life testing to ensure that characteristics have not significantly changed during launch and deployment; periodic testing throughout the lifetime of the satellite to confirm that performance remains within specifications, to identify performance trends, and to predict the end of useful life; and investigation of anomalies. The author describes an IOT system designed to test satellites operating on the UK channels of the WARC-BS(77) plan for broadcasting satellites.<>