astronomy

Intelsat 20

Intelsat 20 is a astronomy topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Intelsat 20 rather than just read about it. In short: Intelsat 20 is a geostationary communications satellite which is operated by Intelsat. It was constructed by Space Systems/Loral, and is based on the LS-1300 satellite bus.

Key takeaways

Intelsat 20 belongs to astronomy; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Intelsat 20 to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Intelsat 20 from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

Intelsat 20 is a geostationary communications satellite which is operated by Intelsat. It was constructed by Space Systems/Loral, and is based on the LS-1300 satellite bus. It was launched on 2 August 2012, and replaces the Intelsat 7 and Intelsat 10 spacecraft at 68.5° East longitude. It is fully operational since September 2012. Intelsat 20 is the 47th satellite that Space Systems/Loral will provide to Intelsat, the leading provider of Fixed-Satellite Services (FSS) worldwide. Intelsat 20 carries 24 C-band, 54 Ku-band and 1 Ka-band transponders. The C-band covers the Asia-Pacific region, while the Ku-band transponders is used for Direct to Home broadcasting to Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The Ka-band payload provides coverage to the Middle East and Central Asia.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Intelsat 20

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Intelsat 20 claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In astronomy, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Intelsat 20 before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Intelsat 20 ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Intelsat 20

In research: Intelsat 20 appears in astronomy research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Intelsat 20 in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Intelsat 20 is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Communications satellite stubs, Communications satellites in geostationary orbit, Intelsat satellites, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Intelsat 20 outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Intelsat 20 in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Intelsat 20 means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Intelsat 20 out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Intelsat 20 in simple terms?

Intelsat 20 is a geostationary communications satellite which is operated by Intelsat. It was constructed by Space Systems/Loral, and is based on the LS-1300 satellite bus.

Why does Intelsat 20 matter?

Because it connects several astronomy ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Intelsat 20?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Intelsat 20.