FIELD: satellite communications.
SUBSTANCE: satellite communications system may include a payload, a power system, and a thermal management component. The payload may be configured to provide service at different throughput levels based on a consumption profile, and may consume electrical energy at a peak rate when the consumption level indicated by the consumption profile exceeds a threshold, and at a lower off-peak rate when the consumption level, indicated by the consumption profile, is below the threshold. The peak rate can exceed the rate at which electrical energy is generated by the power system. The thermal management component can handle excess thermal energy generated by the payload when the payload is operating at a peak rate. Treatment of excess thermal energy may include storing thermal energy while operating the payload at a peak rate.
EFFECT: increasing the efficiency of providing a satellite communication service to users with large fluctuations in consumption by allowing the payload throughput to be modulated based on a consumption profile that represents the consumption for the service provided by the payload.
35 cl, 10 dwg
