The Wikipedia article section OneWeb satellite constellation; Design characteristics tells us:

The satellites will operate in the Ku band, communicating in the microwave range of frequencies in the 12–18 GHz portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The satellites use a technique called "progressive pitch" in which the satellites are slightly turned to avoid interference with Ku-band satellites in geostationary orbit. The user terminal antenna on the ground will be a phased array antenna measuring approximately 36 by 16 centimeters (14.2 by 6.3 in) and will provide Internet access at 50 megabits/second downlink bandwidth (almost certainly less uplink, but this number remains hard to pin down).

Question: What is OneWeb's constellation's "progressive pitch" and how does it avoid interference with Ku-band satellites in GEO. Earth is large and each OneWeb satellite's footprint is substantial (as is each GEO satellite), so how does this prevent interference over all necessary area at the same time?


Traditionally, transponders have pointed straight down. If OneWeb satellite passed "under" a geostationary satellite, the OneWeb signal would interfere. That's handled by turning off the OneWeb satellites in that case. (They are in inclined orbits; none of them are exactly over the equator)

But the OneWeb transponders have some beam width, so it's possible to interfere even when not directly under:

enter image description here

(From an ITU presentation at https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/space/workshops/SISS-2016/Documents/OneWeb%20.pdf ) Note the upper dashed line, which shows interference: The OneWeb satellite and GSO satellite appear in the same spot in the sky.

OneWeb can change the geometry of those off-vertical interference windows by tilting their beams, which in turn is done by pitching the satellite:

enter image description here

(ibid) Note that the spot on the Earth is now being served by a different satellite, at a different point in the sky which doesn't line up with the GSO satellite.

  • $\begingroup$ Ah, with the miracles of power point and coffee I've got it, thanks! $\endgroup$ – uhoh Mar 19 '19 at 23:12

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