On: We are now Solar Powered

[Johnythree]

> Wait, but it already physically moves to track the satellite

It doesn't. It moves to be in the same plane as the satellite, but it doesn't actually track the satellite.

The phased array can only track a single line across the sky. The dish moves so that line is parallel with the satellites orbit.

[lucb1e → Johnythree]

Ah, so if I understand it correctly they (motor and phase array) basically each do one axis?

[geerlingguy → lucb1e]

No, the motor basically aligns the satellite for the optimal phased array 'aim' (and can rotate and tilt the dish).

But after an initial aiming, the motors basically lock in place and the dish stays still. The phased array then tracks individual sats in orbit.