This course covers the most relevant aspects of satellite communications, with emphasis on the most recent applications and developments. The course covers the basic concepts of satellite communications, the orbital aspects, with emphasis on the geostationary orbit, Satellite subsystems, launching methods, and on-board processing. The design of a digital satellite link is discussed in detail, including link budgets, modulation, error control coding, baseband signaling theory, and multiple access methods.  Frequency assignments and propagation aspects that affect the satellite link are then discussed.  Antennas and earth station technology are presented, including the design of very small aperture terminals (VSATs).  The course then covers non-geosynchronous orbits and their applications. Specific applications of satellites are also explored, including the global positioning system (GPS), satellites for mobile communication, and satellites for internet.