Course contents: Satellite orbit types and characteristics, orbital mechanics and orbits LEO, MEO, HEO, GEO, calculation methods for link budget, transponders, propagation impairments (free space loss, atmospheric, rain attenuation, shadowing), effects of noise, noise figure, antennas, transmission/reception techniques, multiple access techniques, random access, multibeam systems, simulation on orbit planning and link budget with STK software by Analytical Graphics (AGI). Exercises based on the STK and GNU Octave software packages.

Assessment: Written exams at the end of the semester. Assignments may be given during the semester with weight 30% (in which case the weight of the written exams will be 70%).