Abstract: A satellite communication system particularly suited for trans-Atlantic communications is provided wherein a communications satellite is placed in geosynchronous orbit somewhere between Western European continent and Eastern American continent. The satellite includes an antenna adapted for orthogonal linear polarization and the antenna elements oriented at an acute angle with respect to orbit normal to result in polarization arrival angles as close to local vertical and horizontal as possible at the earth stations in the high rain rate regions of southeastern United States and Mediterranian region in Europe.