LEOsatelliitit

LEOsatelliitit refers to satellites operating in Low Earth Orbit. This orbital region is typically defined as altitudes ranging from 160 kilometers to 2,000 kilometers above the Earth's surface. LEO is characterized by its proximity to Earth, which allows for relatively low signal latency compared to higher orbits. This makes it ideal for applications requiring near real-time data transmission, such as Earth observation, scientific research, and some communication services.

Satellites in LEO orbit the Earth at high speeds, completing an orbit in approximately 90 to 120 minutes. This rapid movement means that a single LEO satellite can only view a specific area of the Earth for a short period. To provide continuous coverage of a particular region, constellations of multiple LEO satellites are often deployed. These constellations are designed to work together, with overlapping fields of view ensuring that at least one satellite is always overhead.

Examples of LEO satellites include those used for the International Space Station, numerous Earth imaging and remote sensing satellites, and many modern satellite internet constellations. The development and deployment of LEO constellations have significantly increased the availability and capabilities of satellite-based services. Their lower altitude also means less powerful rockets are needed to launch them into orbit, potentially reducing launch costs. However, the increased number of satellites in LEO also raises concerns about space debris and the potential for collisions.