An easy to use model for calculating rain attenuation along earth-space millimeter wave communications links is proposed. The model computes attenuation as a function of point rainfall intensity for a given frequency, path elevation angle, and earth station latitude and altitude. Estimates of the attenuation distribution can be made by coupling the model with a cumulative rainfall intensity distribution. In addition to the presentation of a new model, a review of the basic concepts of attenuation modeling is presented. This review includes the relationship between attenuation and rainfall intensity (specific attenuation), and the statistics of point rainfall intensity. A summary of many other attenuation models is also given. The model is compared to measured data from many satellite beacon experiments. Comparisons are also presented between the proposed model and several other attenuation models. / Master of Science