Satelliitsidet

Satelliitsidet is a term used in Estonian to describe the network of communication links that connect satellites with each other and with ground stations. It encompasses the satellite side of space-based communications, including inter-satellite links and satellite-to-ground links, as part of a broader satellite communication system.

The concept covers both hardware and protocols enabling data transfer in orbit and between space and Earth. Satellites use transponders and antennas to receive, process, and relay data. Inter-satellite links, implemented in RF or optical formats, allow data to be relayed across a constellation without routing through terrestrial networks for every hop, improving coverage and reducing latency.

Ground segments include mission control centers, gateway stations, and user terminals on ships, planes, or remote areas. Together, these elements form networks that can deliver broadband Internet, voice, video, and sensor data from space.

Technologies involved include frequency bands (such as Ka-band or Ku-band for high data rates), modulation schemes, error correction, and networking protocols adapted for space. Increasing use of optical inter-satellite links promises higher capacity and lower mass and power budgets.

Applications are broad: global Internet access, real-time Earth observation data downlink, disaster response, maritime and aviation connectivity, and military communications. Challenges include space environment effects on hardware, link reliability, spectrum management, orbital dynamics, and security.

In Estonian practice, satelliitsidet emphasizes the connectivity layer of a constellation, bridging space and ground networks to enable global communication services.