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Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of the features and the objectives of the Italian Sirio satellite program and the characteristics of its systems. The principal objective is to investigate the applicability of frequencies above 10 GHz to satellite communication systems through an SHF propagation and communication experiment. Sirio is a spin-stabilized geostationary satellite with a mechanically despun antenna for the propagation and communication experiment. The nominal spin rate is 90 rpm. The Sirio program is developed in the frame of the Italian space program by the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR). Project management is at the Servizio Attivita Spaziali (SAS) of CNR, while the experimental activity is under the scientific direction of the Centro Telecomunicazioni Spaziali of CNR at the Politecnico di Milano. Prime contractorship for the Sirio satellite has been entrusted to Compagnia Industriale Aerospaziale while the contractorship for the Sirio Operation Control Center and for the Sirio SHF ground stations has been entrusted to Telespazio. Telespazio is also giving technical and administrative assistance to CNR for the development of the program. NASA will take care of the satellite launch.

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of the features and the objectives of the Italian Sirio satellite program and the characteristics of its systems. The principal objective is to investigate the applicability of frequencies above 10 GHz to satellite communication systems through an SHF propagation and communication experiment. Sirio is a spin-stabilized geostationary satellite with a mechanically despun antenna for the propagation and communication experiment. The nominal spin rate is 90 rpm. The Sirio program is developed in the frame of the Italian space program by the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR). Project management is at the Servizio Attivita Spaziali (SAS) of CNR, while the experimental activity is under the scientific direction of the Centro Telecomunicazioni Spaziali of CNR at the Politecnico di Milano. Prime contractorship for the Sirio satellite has been entrusted to Compagnia Industriale Aerospaziale while the contractorship for the Sirio Operation Control Center and for the Sirio SHF ground stations has been entrusted to Telespazio. Telespazio is also giving technical and administrative assistance to CNR for the development of the program. NASA will take care of the satellite launch.