Space Internet
Space internet refers to broadband connectivity powered by satellites orbiting the Earth, promising to bridge the urban-rural digital divide and enable high-speed internet even in remote regions where conventional cable or fiber is unavailable. Major private and public projects—including JioSpace Fiber, Starlink, Amazon’s Kuiper, and OneWeb—use huge constellations of satellites, mainly in low or medium Earth orbit, to deliver global internet access. Here’s a structured and UPSC-ready summary:
How Space Internet Works
- Transmission Flow: Signals from internet service providers (ISPs) are sent to satellites in space, which relay these signals back to ground dishes at user locations.
- The dish connects to the user’s modem, translating the signal for computers or other devices.
- This process is repeated with each web request (uploads and downloads), bypassing traditional wired infrastructure.
Types of Satellite Orbits
Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
- LEO satellites orbit at altitudes up to 2,000 km and are used by Starlink, OneWeb, and Kuiper projects.
- Advantages:
- Minimal latency and faster internet due to proximity to the ground.
- Reliable links, cost-effective launches, high-resolution imaging.
- Disadvantages:
- Small coverage per satellite, rapid orbital movement, complex tracking required, and frequent handovers between satellites for uninterrupted connectivity.
Geostationary Orbit (GEO)
- GEO satellites orbit at 36,000 km and appear stationary over a single point on Earth.
- Advantages: Wide coverage with fewer satellites, easier antenna alignment, suitable for TV and fixed communication.
- Limitations: Higher latency due to longer travel time, lower image resolution, and monopoly risks.
Notable Space Internet Projects
- Starlink (SpaceX): Thousands of LEO satellites, global coverage, speeds up to 1 Gbps.
- OneWeb: A partnership including ISRO, using LEO satellites for wholesale internet services.
- Project Kuiper (Amazon): 3,236 planned LEO satellites aiming for global broadband.
- JioSpace Fiber (India): MEO satellite-based gigabit internet, launched for remote regions in India.
Limitations of Space Internet
- Increased space debris due to large satellite constellations.
- Astronomical interference—bright, moving satellites hamper sky observations.
- Higher costs and technological complexity; potential climate impacts from deorbiting satellites.
- Space internet can still face occasional outages and speeds may depend on local weather, infrastructure, and regulatory factors.
India’s Approach
- Indian Space Policy-2023 allows non-government entities (NGEs) to own and operate GEO and non-GEO satellite systems for communication, boosting competition and innovation.
- Only Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel–OneWeb (with Eutelsat) hold global satellite licensing in India.
- JioSpace Fiber recently connected remote locations in Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Assam using MEO satellites.
Space internet is a transformative solution for rural connectivity and disaster resilience—yet faces critical challenges in cost, debris, and scientific impacts, requiring thoughtful implementation and regulation.
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