Satellitnät

Satellitnät, often translated as satellite networks, refers to a system of interconnected satellites used for communication purposes. These networks can be deployed in various orbits, including Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Geostationary Orbit (GEO), each offering different advantages in terms of latency, coverage, and cost.

LEO satellites orbit closer to Earth, resulting in lower latency, which is crucial for real-time applications like voice calls and video conferencing. However, LEO constellations require a large number of satellites to provide continuous global coverage due to their faster orbital speeds. Examples include Starlink and OneWeb.

MEO satellites orbit at intermediate altitudes, offering a balance between latency and the number of satellites needed. Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) like GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou operate in MEO.

GEO satellites are positioned at an altitude where they appear stationary from Earth's surface, providing constant coverage over a specific geographic area. This makes them suitable for broadcasting and fixed communication services, but they suffer from higher latency.

The primary function of satellitnät is to provide communication services, including internet access, telephony, television broadcasting, and data transmission, to areas where terrestrial infrastructure is unavailable or insufficient. They play a vital role in bridging the digital divide and enabling communication in remote regions, disaster zones, and for mobile platforms like ships and aircraft. The development of these networks is continuously advancing, with ongoing efforts to improve data speeds, reduce latency, and expand coverage.