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How does satellite internet work?

Explained | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: S&T - Applications In Everyday Life

Why in the News:

Elon Musk’s Starlink will soon launch in India, promising high-speed internet access in regions beyond the reach of ground-based networks. This is significant as it can bridge rural-urban gaps, improve disaster resilience, and strengthen defence capabilities. Globally, satellite internet has been a lifeline during Hurricane Harvey and a tactical tool in the Russia-Ukraine war. For India, it represents both a technological leap and a strategic necessity.

Introduction:

In today’s digitised and interconnected world, internet access is as vital as electricity or transport. Traditional cable and tower-based networks excel in cities but falter in remote terrains. Satellite internet, powered by mega-constellations like Starlink, offers a borderless, high-resilience alternative that operates irrespective of geography.

Why are ground-based internet networks economically unviable in certain regions?

  1. Physical Infrastructure Limits: Cables and towers are uneconomical for sparsely populated or remote regions
  2. Disaster Vulnerability: Infrastructure can be wiped out during floods, earthquakes, or storms
  3. On-the-Go Connectivity Gap: Mobile and temporary operations (airplanes, ships, oil rigs) often remain underserved

How does satellite internet overcome these challenges?

  1. Global Coverage: Operates regardless of terrain or terrestrial infrastructure
  2. Rapid Deployment: Can be set up quickly to meet sudden demand surges
  3. Mobility Advantage: Supports moving platforms and remote sites
  4. Dual-Use Potential: Functions for both civil and military purposes (e.g., Ukrainian defence, Siachen Glacier operations)

What makes the new wave of satellite internet significant?

  1. Mega-Constellations: Networks like Starlink have thousands of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
  2. Disaster Response Role: Viasat aided Hurricane Harvey operations when 70% of cell towers failed.
  3. Defence Integration: Ukrainian drones fitted with Starlink to bypass Russian jamming; Indian Army use in high-altitude conflict zones
  4. Security Concerns: Smuggled Starlink devices used by insurgent groups and drug cartels

Working of satellite internet:

  1. Two Segments: Space segment (satellites) and ground segment (user terminals, gateways).
  2. Service Life: Satellites operate for 5–20 years depending on design.
  3. Orbits:
    1. GEO (35,786 km): Wide coverage, high latency; unsuitable for real-time apps. Example: Viasat GX.
    2. MEO (2,000–35,786 km): Medium latency, requires constellations. Example: O3b.
    3. LEO (<2,000 km): Low latency, small coverage; requires mega-constellations. Example: Starlink’s 7,000+ satellites.

Key Differences between satellites in GEO, MEO AND LEO:

Feature Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
Altitude 35,786 km above equator 2,000 – 35,786 km Below 2,000 km
Relative Motion Stationary relative to a point on Earth Moves relative to Earth Moves quickly relative to Earth
Coverage ~1/3 of Earth (no polar coverage) Larger than LEO, smaller than GEO; needs constellation for global coverage Small footprint; single satellite covers area like an Indian metro city
Satellite Size Large Large Smaller, often table-sized
Cost & Deployment Expensive, long deployment Expensive, smaller constellations Cheaper, quicker to deploy
Latency High (unsuitable for time-sensitive apps) Medium (lower than GEO but still limits real-time use) Very low (good for real-time use)
Example Viasat Global Xpress (GX) O3b constellation (20 satellites) Starlink (7,000+ satellites, aiming for 42,000)
Key Drawback High delay due to distance Still costly, latency not ideal for all uses Needs thousands of satellites for global coverage

How do LEO mega-constellations maintain connectivity?

  1. On-Board Processing: Improves efficiency and reduces terminal complexity
  2. Optical Inter-Satellite Links: Satellites communicate directly in space for faster routing
  3. Seamless Handoff: Steerable antennas track multiple satellites to maintain uninterrupted service

What are the key applications of satellite internet?

  1. Civil Connectivity: Rural broadband, IoE (Internet of Everything)
  2. Transportation: Navigation, self-driving cars, logistics optimisation
  3. Public Administration: Smart cities, disaster warnings, rescue coordination
  4. Healthcare: Telemedicine, remote diagnostics
  5. Agriculture: Precision farming, crop health monitoring
  6. Defence & Security: Real-time communication in conflict zones, strategic surveillance

Conclusion

Satellite internet represents not just a technological upgrade but a strategic asset in the digital era. For India, it offers a pathway to bridge the digital divide, enhance national resilience, and project influence in the global communications domain. However, its dual-use nature demands strong regulatory frameworks to balance innovation, accessibility, and security.

Value Addition

Key Terms & Phrases Explained

  • Satellite Internet: A communication service where internet connectivity is provided through satellites orbiting the Earth, rather than terrestrial cables/towers. It enables access in remote, disaster-hit, or mobile scenarios.
  • Mega-Constellation: A large network of hundreds or thousands of satellites, often in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), working in coordination to provide continuous coverage. Example: Starlink (planned 42,000 satellites).
  • Latency: Time taken for a signal to travel from sender to receiver; critical for real-time applications like video conferencing or online gaming.
  • Optical Inter-Satellite Links (OISL): Laser-based connections between satellites, enabling direct space-to-space data transfer without routing through ground stations, reducing delays and congestion.
  • Dual-Use Technology: A technology with both civilian and military applications. In satellite internet, the same network can support remote learning and healthcare or battlefield communication and drone operations.
  • Digital Divide: The socio-economic gap between those with access to modern digital technologies (internet, computing) and those without.
  • International Telecommunication Union (ITU): A UN agency responsible for coordinating global telecom networks, including orbital slot and spectrum allocation for satellites.
  • On-Board Processing: Satellite’s ability to process data directly in orbit, improving signal quality, speed, and reducing complexity of user terminals.
  • Seamless Handoff: Automatic switching of user connection from one satellite to another as satellites move, ensuring uninterrupted service.
  • Internet of Everything (IoE): An extension of IoT where not only devices, but also data, processes, and people are interconnected via the internet.

Mapping  Micro Themes

Paper Macro Theme Micro Themes Sub-Micro / Example
GS Paper III Types of Orbits GEO (Geostationary) INSAT series, GSAT satellites
MEO (Medium Earth Orbit) O3b constellation for broadband
LEO (Low Earth Orbit) Starlink, OneWeb
GS Paper III Application in Navigation GNSS Variants GPS (USA), GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (EU), IRNSS/NavIC (India)
LEO & MEO in Navigation Faster signals, better coverage
GS Paper II Policy & Governance India’s Space Policy 2023 PPP in satellite communication
International Coordination ITU spectrum allocation

Practice Mains Question:

Discuss the potential of satellite internet in bridging the digital divide in India. Examine the associated security and regulatory challenges.

PYQ Linkage:

[UPSC 2018] Why is the Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System [IRNSS] needed? How does it help in navigation? 

Linkage: IRNSS (also called NavIC) is India’s indigenous satellite-based navigation system providing accurate position information over India and surrounding regions.

Just like IRNSS uses satellites for positioning, satellite internet uses similar orbital infrastructure for data connectivity. Understanding satellite orbits, latency, and ground segments from this topic directly aids in explaining IRNSS’s working, advantages, and strategic value in navigation.

 

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