2.7 Satellite Connections Flashcards
What is satellite internet?
A global internet service using satellites in space to provide broadband access.
Where is satellite internet commonly used?
Remote areas, maritime, aviation, oil fields, and RVs where traditional broadband is unavailable.
What is the biggest drawback of traditional satellite internet?
High latency (~500ms) due to long distances from Earth.
What is the altitude of geosynchronous (GEO) satellites?
~22,000 miles (35,786 km) above Earth.
How many satellites does a GEO system need for global coverage?
Only a few, as each covers about 1/3 of the planet.
Why do GEO satellites have high latency?
Signals travel long distances (~22,000 miles up and down), causing a delay.
Name two GEO satellite internet providers.
HughesNet and Viasat.
What is the key advantage of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites like Starlink?
Lower latency (~30-35ms) and higher speeds.
At what altitude do Starlink’s LEO satellites orbit?
~340 miles (550 km) above Earth.
Why does Starlink require thousands of satellites?
Each LEO satellite covers a smaller area compared to GEO satellites.
What is the speed range of Starlink internet?
Typically 100-200 Mbps, comparable to fiber and cable.
How often does Starlink launch new satellites?
About one per day.
What is the main advantage of Starlink over traditional satellite internet?
Much lower latency (~30-35ms) and faster speeds.
What is a downside of Starlink?
Requires a large satellite fleet, expensive infrastructure, and still evolving.
Why is satellite internet more expensive than fiber or DSL?
High infrastructure costs and limited capacity per user.
