Satellite internet constellation

This article is about satellites in Low Earth orbit only. For internet provision by satellites in other orbits, see Satellite constellation and Satellite internet access.

A satellite internet constellation is a constellation of artificial satellites providing satellite internet service. In particular, the term has come to refer to a new generation of very large constellations (sometimes referred to as megaconstellations[1]) orbiting in low Earth orbit (LEO) to provide low-latency, high bandwidth (broadband) internet service.[2] As of 2020, 63 percent of rural households worldwide lack internet access due to the infrastructure requirements of underground cables and network towers. Satellite internet constellations offer a low-cost solution for expanding coverage.[3]

  1. ^ Henry, Caleb (25 June 2019). "Megaconstellation ventures cautious about deployment milestones". SpaceNews. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  2. ^ "NSR Reports China's Ambitious Constellation of 300 Small Satellites in LEO". SatNews. 8 March 2018. Retrieved 24 March 2018. The most visible or at least, the most talked about LEO contenders stem from the U.S. and Canada, numbering at least 11 with planned satellites to be deployed at around 18,000.
  3. ^ Young, Makena; Thadani, Akhil (1 December 2022). Low Orbit, High Stakes: All-In on the LEO Broadband Competition (PDF). Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).