OPTICAL LASER TECHNOLOGY LEO satellites use lasers to connect to one another at the speed of light. Lasers are ideal for this purpose because there is very little in space that can interrupt the signal. What’s more, unlike RF transmissions, optical lasers cannot be intercepted or jammed. Most attempts to interrupt the signal will be detected and thwarted immediately. BENEFITS OF RELIABLE INTERNET ACCESS AROUND THE WORLD Whether for a rural area cut off from the internet after a hurricane or a remote part of a national park that’s miles from the nearest cell tower, LEO satellites can bring the life-changing benefits of an internet connection to communities that have been difficult to access. EDUCATION Access a wealth of educational materials, resources, and online teaching platforms. Better-connected students can learn beyond the walls of their school and interact with students in other parts of the world. HEALTH CARE Connect to quality health care virtually anywhere. Doctors can chat with patients online and view their patients’ condition using telehealth applications.
overwhelmed or disabled, a satellite connection is typically more difficult to disrupt. This means users can more reliably count on sending and receiving critical information. Cost savings. Compared to Medium or High Earth Orbit options, LEO satellites require less energy to be put into orbit and rely on less powerful amplifiers for transmission to and from Earth. As a result, LEO-based networks are generally less costly than options that require satellites with higher orbits. MAKING CONNECTIONS The relatively low orbit of a LEO satellite reduces its coverage area, so multiple satellites are required to bring internet connectivity to a region. This network of linked LEO satellites enables global coverage. Two technologies are critical to making low orbit satellite internet possible. ACTIVE ELECTRONICALLY STEERED ARRAY (AESA) ANTENNAE An AESA antenna uses RF technology to point a beam of radio waves in different directions without moving the antenna. This is a tremendous improvement over conventional antennae that rely on a complex mechanical system, called a gimbal, to maintain the connection between the user and the satellite network.
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