Satellite Mega-Constellations and the Future of Connectivity
The space technology has gained advancement manifold during the last decade. Space is the new battleground for nations now to compete. Except that this battleground is used to benefit the whole world and not just a few countries. This competition is giving the world great technological advancement. Until recently, the world was introduced to the new concept of space technology that would increase communication and surveillance alike across the globe. This technology is the Satellite Mega Constellations.
The satellite mega constellation is a huge group of artificial satellites in the Earth’s atmosphere that work together as a unit. These satellites are connected to one another in a system and are able to provide constant global coverage at any time, at any place on Earth. The idea to launch such a network of satellites in to the sky was proposed almost a decade ago. But it is until last year that the first set of satellites has been launched into the Earth’s atmosphere.
With the increasing demand of high-speed internet across the world, this idea was sought after by many companies in the world to enable high speed, un-interrupted connectivity to the internet anywhere on the planet. These mega constellations of satellites are easy to built as they are small in size and are cheaper to deploy into the sky. They are in the Low Earth Orbit, therefore called LEO satellites. These satellites are said to provide internet facilities even in the remotest areas and connect all the corners of the Earth via beams and antennas. Though these satellites will be moving in an orbit, but every time one satellite moves, another is there to take its place. Thus, providing un-interrupted communication everywhere.
Though the more modern this concept sounded, the more retaliation it is facing. Since these satellites will be close to the earth, they will always be visible to the naked eye on a clear day. And with thousands of satellites in the sky, they will hinder the sight of space at night, much to the dislike of the astronomers. And the sky will no longer be the way we see it now. Since more than one companies is pursuing the idea of satellite mega constellations, we will soon have a swarm of satellites to view. With so many close-knit satellites, the chance of collision will rise thus creating space debris. If this happens, it will hinder further space explorations in the future.
These satellites are said to launch in the full capacity this decade or so, so let us wait and see if this technology succeeds in enhancing world communication and what benefits or disadvantages it brings to the world and its inhabitants.