Satellite communications refers to the utilisation of geostationary orbiting satellites to relay the transmission received from one earth station to one or more earth stations. They are the outcome of research in the area of communications whose objective is to achieve ever-increasing ranges and capacities with the lowest possible costs. Since publication of the first edition, satellite communications systems have become increasingly sophisticated. This revised, updated and extended fourth edition covers the entire field of satellite communications engineering from the techniques of orbital mechanics and radio wave propagation to the design of communication links and earth stations. * Features an improved presentation of satellite applications with regards to services * Discusses the most recent developments in this evolving field, including MPEG2, concatenated coding, digital TV and examples of transmission of digital telephony * Practical approach and extensive illustrations are highly valued by student audience * A single source, comprehensive and thorough reference covering the entire field of satellite communications engineering. New features include: * An updated section on the evolution of satellite communications and the deployment of services * Inclusion of MPEG2, concatenated coding and coded modulation * Discusses examples for the transmission of digital telephony, digital TV and date, introduction of DVB-s (Digital Video Broadcasting by satellite) standard * Complete re-organisation of Chapters 5 and 6 resulting in a unique new Chapter 5 entitled 'Service Oriented Satellite Networks' * Recent developments in deployable antennas * Lithium batteries * New launchers such as Atlas 3 and 4 A leading edge resource for advanced students, engineers and designers in the field of satellite and mobile radio communications and also communication engineers.