Understanding Space Internet and Its Functioning

Satellite internet operates by transmitting and receiving data from a small satellite dish installed on Earth. This dish communicates with satellites positioned either in geostationary orbit or Low Earth Orbit. This means that service providers do not need fibre optic cables or mobile towers for a wireless network as the internet is directly transmitted from the satellite.

For more information, check the List of Indian Satellites in the linked article.

The Purpose of Space Internet

Traditional methods of providing internet through fibre-optic cables and wireless mobile towers have limitations, especially in remote areas or regions with challenging terrains.

As a result, approximately 4 billion people, more than half of the world's population, lack access to reliable internet. The goal of space internet projects like Starlink is to offer affordable and reliable space internet services even in the most inaccessible locations.

Types of Satellites in Space Internet

Two types of satellites are currently used to establish the satellite internet system. Let's delve into the specifics of each.

Space Internet Using Geostationary Satellite

The concept of using geostationary satellites for internet services is not new. Most satellite-based internet services currently use Geostationary Satellites, which operate in the geostationary orbit 35,786 km above the Earth’s equatorial surface.

Advantages

Geostationary satellites offer several benefits:

• A single geostationary satellite can cover nearly 1/3rd of the Earth. This means that signals from just 3 to 4 satellites can provide internet connectivity to the entire planet.
• These satellites offer better connectivity and are easier to link because they appear stationary from the Earth's perspective.

Disadvantages

The main drawback of geostationary satellites is:

• Data transfer from a geostationary satellite can be slow due to the satellite's high altitude. This results in significant latency, which can reach about 600 milliseconds.

Space Internet Using Satellites in Low Earth Orbit

The Lower Earth Orbit (LEO) is located 2,000 km above the Earth’s sea surface, directly above the equator. The global space internet system using satellites in LEO offers several advantages, including a solution for reducing latency.

Advantages

LEO satellites offer several significant benefits:

• Due to their lower altitude, satellites in LEO can reduce latency. A shorter distance can bring down the latency to 20-30 milliseconds, which is the minimum time that terrestrial systems need to transmit data.
• This system can overcome geographical challenges that standard methods cannot handle.

Disadvantages

Despite these advantages, there are some unavoidable downsides:

• The signal coverage of these satellites is smaller due to the lower orbit.
• To provide extensive data coverage and prevent data transmission interruption, a large number of satellites are needed. This not only increases the cost but also interferes with space studies.
• The risk of generating space debris increases with the rising number of satellites in LEO.

The Benefits of Space Internet

Despite the individual drawbacks of each type of satellite, space internet offers several benefits to humanity.

1. It promises to provide high-speed internet up to 300Mbps, as stated by Elon Musk for the Starlink project.
2. It has the potential to connect people from remote or rural areas where traditional systems cannot reach.

The Impact of Weather Conditions on Space Internet

Traditional internet users often experience network issues during severe weather conditions. Heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and storms can damage the optical fibre system and wireless towers, leading to slow speeds or outages.

However, space-based internet does not promise a solution to this problem. As stated on Starlink's FAQ page, heavy rain and stormy weather can disrupt the internet connection, resulting in slower speeds.

In conclusion, space internet was a concept that few could adopt due to its cost. However, companies like SpaceX are working to overcome the limitations of geostationary satellites with satellites in LEO.

The details about space-based internet included in this article are crucial for IAS preparation . However, aspirants should also keep abreast of other current affairs related to this topic to boost their preparation.