SPACE INTERNET : An Internet blanket around the earth.

 SPACE BASED INTERNET

These could work like a cellular tower, but in the sky.

Image Source: Google Images

SATELLITE IN GEOSTATIONARY ORBIT

Most of the existing space-based Internet systems use satellites in geostationary orbit.Geostationary orbit is located at a height of 35,786 km over the Earth’s surface, directly above the Equator.Satellites in this orbit move at speeds of about 11,000 km per hour, and complete one revolution of the Earth at the same time that the earth rotates once on its axis, therefore, a satellite in a geostationary orbit appears stationary.

The signals from one geostationary satellite can cover a third of the planet and 3 to 4 satellites would be enough to cover the entire Earth.

But it has Latency issue The transmission from a satellite in geostationary orbit has a latency of about 600 milliseconds. The geostationary satellites are located at higher altitudes compared to LOW EARTH ORBIT (LEO), thus the longer the distance that needs to be covered results into greater latency.

The latency is the time lag between a user seeking data and the server sending that data.

SATELLITES  IN LOW EARTH ORBIT (LEO)

The LEO extends up to 2,000 km above the Earth’s surface.

The presence of satellite at a lower height from the Earth’s surface, will help to bring the lag down to 20-30 milliseconds, roughly the time it takes for terrestrial systems to transfer data.The signals from satellites in space can overcome obstacles faced by fibre-optic cables or wireless networks easily.

Due to its lower height, its signals cover a relatively small area. The satellites in these orbits travel at more than double the speed of satellites in geostationary orbit to balance the effects of gravity. Thus, as a result, many more satellites are needed in order to reach signals to every part of the planet. And as a result it will generate more space debris.The constellations of space internet satellites will make it difficult to observe other space objects, and to detect their signals.There will be an increased risk of light pollution.

Currently, fibre optic cables or wireless networks through mobile towers provide internet services.It is well known that the idea of space internet system is not new. It is being used through Geostationary Satellite for selective users.

BUT

Elon musk, the CEO of SpaceX has announced that his space internet project is ready for public use. SpaceX has launched 60 starlink satellites into low earth orbit.

Image Source: Elon Musk/Twitter
The first 60 Starlink satellites slated for launch are shown here loaded into a Falcon 9.

SpaceX plans to launch more such starlink satellites to create a blanket around the earth capable of beaming high-speed broadband internet to 99% of the inhabited world.

Image Source: Google Images

RECENTLY IN JULY 2020.

Sunil mittal owned BHARTI ENTERPRISES LTD. Won a bid to pick up to 45% stake in OneWeb, a UK based company. OneWeb aims to provide affordable wireless internet service anywhere in the world

Those who don't know, Bharti Enterprises Ltd. Owns ‘AIRTEL’.

OneWeb proposed a mega-constellation of satellites in low earth orbit ( with 1200 km distance) to deliver affordable wireless internet services to anywhere in the world.

Image Source: Google Images

1st phase - 650 satellites

2nd phase - 1980 satellites

And through this they want internet to be reached in anyplace whether it be forest, Arctic or even Antarctic.
The traditional ways to deliver the internet — fibre-optic cables or wireless networks are not feasible in remote areas or places with difficult terrain.
Setting up cables or mobile towers in these areas is not viable.

By March 2020, it has launched 74 satellites in the initial constellation.

Image Source: OneWeb Wikipedia

It has a small satellites around 150 kg and these will make the constellation in space.

Constellation:- It has multiple satellites, which connects just 1 common place with internet (we are talking in respect of internet). It has generally 20-24 satellites or max 50.

But OneWeb want a mega-constellation i.e. thousands of satellites

Image Source: Google Images

While a group of satellites in a network is typically called a constellation, these planned fleets of hundred or even thousands of satellites have been informally dubbed “mega-constellations”.

But on 27th March 2020 OneWeb filed for bankruptcy. 

So UK government and Bharti Enterprises Ltd. decided to invest $500 million each in OneWeb with 45% stakes for each. And the existing shareholders in the company-including Hughes, Qualcomm and Virgin Group will keep the balance 10%.

WHY AIRTEL (Bharti Enterprises Ltd.) WANTS TO JOIN FORCES WITH ONEWEB ?

Almost half the entire human population is not yet connected. Airtel is one of the largest telecoms operators in India and Africa. And it is difficult to achieve connectivity across several parts of the country (INDIA) such as Nicobar islands, deserts or Rajasthan or forests in Madhya Pradesh through Conventional Fibre or terrestrial radio connectivity system.

So Airtel Gambled on SPACE INTERNET and in region like south Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa - where Airtel (Bharti Enterprises Ltd.) Will act as the testing ground for all OneWeb Products, services and applications.

Bharti Enterprises Ltd. Plans to have the OneWeb LEO satellites constellation services deployed by 2022.

It's not like just AIRTEL and ONEWEB or ELON MUSK'S SPACEX STARLINK are in the RACE OF SPACE INTERNET.

There's JEFF BEZOS'S AMAZON - LINKED PROJECT KUIPER

And a similar project but not the same --- PROJECT LOON

Image Source: Google Images

It beams internet through hot-air balloons.

A low earth orbit constellation is the only viable mechanism through which the ‘Last billion’ can be connected.