Future Communication Satellite

The European Space Agency projected the shift from Geosynchronous satellites to medium and low earth orbit satellite constellations. This will drive large changes in the technologies that are used as well as the numbers of satellites. There will be new business models and changes to the economics of the satellite business. There is a shift from satellites for television to satellites for high bandwidth data communication. O3b and others have medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites. They are located at about 8000-kilometer altitude. They deliver low latency fiber-like connectivity to any area approximately 45 degrees north and south of the equator. The orbital·periods of MEO satellites range from about 2 to 24 hours. Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is typically a circular orbit about 400 to 900 kilometers above the earth’s surface. These satellites are only visible from within a small area (about 1000 km radius) beneath the satellite as it passes overhead. Low earth orbit satellites change their position relative to the ground position quickly. A large number of satellites are needed if the mission requires uninterrupted connectivity. Low earth orbiting satellites are less expensive to launch into orbit than geostationary satellites and, due to proximity to the ground, do not require as high a signal strength. They can appear to move as fast as a high-flying jet airliner and sometimes take about four to five minutes to cross the sky.
SOURCES – European Space Agency Written by Brian Wang

3 thoughts on “Future Communication Satellite”

  1. All aboard the LEO satellite constellation train!

    Good. The more there is a need for cheaper launchers, the biggest the chance of seeing them and also human facilities develop.

    Funny how things can get pushed forward just by one market actor’s developments. Because this is a result of SpaceX intention to cheapen space launches through reuse and their stated desire to make Starlink.

    Without it, we would still considering ULA and Roscosmos as state of the art, looking forward to expensive satellite Internet and be wishfully thinking SLS would take us to Mars one day (yeah right).

  2. And now the commercialization of space truly begins. The operator who is able to keep costs lowest will be able to sell subscriptions at a reduced price. Now everyone will want cheap commercial lift service.

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