Geostationary communications satellite

Claim 1

A sun-oriented geostationary communications satellite, comprising an operational module including unfoldable solar cell arrays directable toward the sun and payload carrier means directable toward the earth, said payload carrier means having a platform (1) defining a first reference plane, antenna means, means for foldably mounting said antenna means on said platform so that said antenna means are tiltable between a folded position and an operating position, said antenna means including a main reflector (3) and a subreflector (4), both said reflectors having approximately the same size, primary radiator means (5) operatively mounted on said platform (1), said primary radiator means, said main reflector, and said subreflector being oriented relatve to each other in said operating position so that respective beams define a second plane oriented at an angle (α) relative to said first reference plane, said angle (α) being sufficiently small for permitting folding said main reflector and said subreflector into a compact package, said mounting means comprising only one folding axis for said main reflector and only one folding axis for said subreflector for folding both said reflectors into a position substantially in parallel to said reference plane and substantially in parallel to each other, whereby in the folded condition one of said reflectors is located between said platform and the respective other reflector.