Odyssey-personal communications for the future

Abstract

Odyssey is a satellite based communication system bringing world-wide communications ability to the palm of a person's hand. The system operates with domestic public switched telephone and cellular networks to allow an individual to communicate with another individual anywhere in the world. A dual-mode handset allows the user to communicate either through local cellular networks, when available, or through the Odyssey system when cellular is not present. The Odyssey satellite constellation operates in medium Earth orbit approximately one-third of the way to geosynchronous orbit to minimize voice time delays and provide populated land mass coverage with only 12 satellites. The sixteen Odyssey earth stations and associated gateways to the PSTNs interconnect mobile and fixed users around the world via the "bent-pipe" satellite transponders.<>