SATELLITE INTERNET
1. Context
In today’s increasingly digitised world, internet connectivity is an absolute necessity, across both military and civilian domains. With Elon Musk’s Starlink about to make its debut very soon in India, internet infrastructure is going to fundamentally change.
2. Necessity of Satellite internet
- Ground-based internet systems, relying on cables and towers, remain the primary method of connectivity in densely populated cities. Yet, their dependence on extensive physical infrastructure makes them costly in sparsely inhabited areas and prone to damage from natural calamities like earthquakes or floods.
- They also fall short in delivering reliable service for mobile connectivity in isolated regions or temporary setups.
- Satellite internet addresses these shortcomings by offering wide-reaching, dependable coverage that operates independently of local terrain or ground infrastructure.
- It can be swiftly deployed to meet sudden spikes in demand and ensures seamless access for moving vehicles such as aircraft, as well as remote sites like offshore platforms.
- Far from being just a contingency option, satellite internet represents a transformative capability with significant implications for the global digital economy, public infrastructure, and defense strategies
3. Features of Satellite Internet
- The rise of satellite mega-constellations like Starlink marks the beginning of a new chapter in space-based internet services. These systems consist of hundreds or even thousands of satellites positioned just a few hundred kilometres above the Earth.
- Often described as “internet in the sky,” they have diverse applications spanning military operations, disaster relief, healthcare, agriculture, and transportation.
- However, their dual-use capability—serving both civilian and defence purposes—introduces complex security challenges.
- Recent events highlight the transformative potential of this technology. In 2017, Hurricane Harvey destroyed around 70% of cell towers along the Texas coast, making Viasat’s satellite internet essential for coordinating rescue efforts.
- In the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict, SpaceX’s Starlink has been critical to Ukrainian defence, enabling troop coordination, medical evacuations, and drone missions. Ukrainian forces have even mounted Starlink units on drones to counter Russian jamming.
- Likewise, the Indian Army’s deployment of satellite internet at the Siachen Glacier demonstrates its value in remote conflict zones.
- Yet, the technology’s global reach can also be exploited for illicit activities. Indian security agencies have intercepted smuggled Starlink devices used by insurgents and drug traffickers.
- Such developments illustrate that control over satellite internet systems is emerging as a strategic element of national power
4. How does satellite internet work?
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- A satellite internet system comprises two main parts: the space segment and the ground segment. The space segment refers to the satellites operating in orbit, while the ground segment includes all Earth-based infrastructure that interacts with them.
- Satellites form the most expensive element of the system, equipped with communication payloads to transmit data and typically functioning for five to twenty years.
- Their placement demands precise planning, particularly regarding orbital altitude, which directly influences their performance and coverage.
- These satellites are generally positioned in one of three primary orbital zones: Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), or Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
5. Different satellites in different Orbits
- Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites operate about 35,786 km above the equator, moving in sync with Earth’s rotation so they remain fixed over a single point on the surface. From this altitude, one GEO satellite can cover nearly a third of the planet—though the polar regions remain outside its reach.
- Viasat’s Global Xpress (GX) is a well-known example. Typically large in size, GEO satellites function as “bent-pipes,” relaying signals without processing them.
- Their major drawback is high signal latency due to the vast distance involved, making them unsuitable for activities that require real-time interaction, such as video conferencing or instant financial transactions.
- Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites are positioned between 2,000 km and 35,786 km above Earth, offering a middle ground between GEO and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) systems.
- They have lower latency than GEO satellites but still require a constellation for full global coverage.
- For example, the O3b MEO network consists of 20 satellites. However, their latency still limits their effectiveness for many time-critical applications, and like GEO satellites, they are relatively large and expensive to launch.
- Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites operate below 2,000 km, which allows for very low latency. Smaller in size—often comparable to a tabletop—they are cheaper and faster to deploy. Their key limitation is limited coverage; a single Starlink LEO satellite covers an area roughly the size of a large Indian city.
- To provide worldwide service, LEO networks form vast “mega-constellations” of hundreds or thousands of satellites. Starlink currently has over 7,000 satellites in orbit, with plans to expand to as many as 42,000
6. How does mega-constellation work?
- LEO mega-constellations use their large numbers to turn inherent drawbacks into advantages. These smaller satellites are equipped with on-board signal processing capabilities, which boost data transmission efficiency, enhance signal quality, and provide greater operational flexibility.
- This built-in intelligence reduces the complexity of ground-based user terminals, making them smaller, more affordable, and accessible for individual households.
- A major breakthrough in these systems is the adoption of optical inter-satellite links, enabling satellites to communicate directly with each other in space.
- This forms a fully interconnected “internet in the sky,” capable of routing data across the globe with minimal dependence on ground stations, thereby lowering latency and improving overall performance.
- Nonetheless, maintaining a constant connection poses challenges. Travelling at speeds of around 27,000 km/h, LEO satellites remain in a user’s line of sight for only a few minutes.
- Continuous service is achieved by seamlessly transferring the connection from one satellite to another, a process made possible by steerable antennas that can simultaneously track multiple users and ground stations—similar to moving spotlights following performers on a stage
7. Applications of Satellite Internet
- For end-users, modern LEO satellite internet represents a significant leap forward. The user equipment is now compact, easy to install, and requires no professional assistance.
- Despite being costlier than terrestrial broadband—terminals priced at roughly $500 and monthly plans starting near $50—the expense is often worthwhile for people in remote regions or industries where constant connectivity is essential.
- Looking ahead, accessibility is set to improve further. Companies such as AST SpaceMobile and Starlink are experimenting with direct-to-smartphone connectivity, which could eliminate the need for separate terminals altogether.
- As adoption grows, the necessary hardware may eventually be built directly into devices like smartphones and laptops.
- The potential applications are both wide-ranging and transformative. In communications, satellite internet can connect underserved regions and enable the Internet of Everything (IoE).
- In transport, it promises better navigation, support for autonomous vehicles, and enhanced logistics. In governance and disaster management, it can strengthen smart city infrastructure, issue early warnings, and coordinate relief operations.
- Healthcare can benefit from telemedicine and remote patient monitoring, while agriculture can use it for precision farming and crop health assessment. Additional uses span environmental tracking, energy exploration, tourism, and defence.
- However, alongside these opportunities come significant security and regulatory challenges. Nations increasingly view satellite internet as a strategic domain of power. For India, it is vital to create a robust strategy for integrating this technology into national resilience frameworks, using it to close the digital divide and boost economic growth.
- Moreover, active involvement in shaping global governance will be essential, as mega-constellations are set to define the future of worldwide connectivity and strategic influence
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For Prelims: Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, Starlink
For Mains: GS II & III - Governance, Cybersecurity and National Security
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Previous Year Questions
1. With reference to India's satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2018)
1. PSLVs launch satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites.
2. Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth.
3. GSLV Mk III is a four- staged launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors; and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 and 3
C. 1 and 2
D. 3 only
Answer: A
2.A low earth orbit satellite can provide large signal strength at an earth station because: (ESE Electronics 2011)
A. Path loss is low
B. These orbits are immune to noise
C. Large solar power can be generated at these orbits
D. Lower microwave frequencies in s-band can be used
Answer-A
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Source: The Hindu
