Artificial satellites make the earth more ‘connected’
Satellite technology facilitates people’s lives with many practical applications, from communication to global positioning, as well as the opportunity to research and observe the space and the earth.
At a time when the need for internet and communication technologies in education and business has increased due to the new type of coronavirus (Kovid-19) epidemic, the importance of a connected world has become more evident.
In memory of the Soviet Union’s launch of the first artificial satellite into space on October 4, 1957, this year’s theme of the “World Space Week”, which is celebrated annually on October 4-10 with the decision of the United Nations (UN), was determined as “Artificial Satellites Improving Life”.
Since the Soviet Union launched the “Sputnik 1” satellite into space, many countries have sent thousands of artificial satellites to Earth orbit for different purposes, from communications to intelligence, from scientific observation to national defense, weather forecasting and global positioning services.
According to the “Space Objects Index” published by the UN Space Affairs Office, 9,869 man-made objects have been sent to space so far. Of these, 6 thousand 212 were positioned in Earth orbit, while 3 thousand 655 of them were sent beyond Earth or returned to earth.
There are 2,666 active satellites in earth orbit
According to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) data, there are 2,666 satellites still operating in Earth orbit. 1327 of these belong to the USA, 363 to China, 169 to Russia, and 807 to other countries.
1918 of the artificial satellites in Earth orbit are in Low Ground Orbit (LEO) 160 to 2 thousand kilometers above the ground, 135 in the Middle Earth Orbit (MEO) at an altitude of 2 thousand to 35 thousand 786 kilometers, 554 in the equatorial axis. At an altitude of 35 thousand 786 kilometers above the ground where the rotation speed is equal to the rotation speed of the earth, the remaining 59 are located in other elliptical orbits that cut the equator.
Communication satellites are mostly located in Ground Fixed Orbit, where they can maintain their position relative to the Earth’s rotation to provide continuous signals to the same regions on the earth, while meteorology and earth observation satellites are generally placed in Low Earth Orbit to provide higher resolution images.
Satellites provide benefits in many different areas
Meteorology satellites enable to make weather forecasts for the furthest points on the earth, and to take precautions by noticing the movements of air currents, storm and hurricane formation.
Earth observation satellites help to analyze the environmental effects by monitoring the changes of forests, water resources and glacier covers over time, to monitor epidemic diseases, to identify damaged places in disasters and to direct rescue and aid activities.
While communication satellites enable long distance phone calls, live broadcasts and internet access; It makes the earth a more “connected” place by integrating with new generation mobile technologies.
Satellite technology will be an integral part of 5G infrastructure
Satellite communication has maintained its existence for many years as an independent technology independent of mobile networks and terrestrial infrastructure. However, it is preparing to become an integral part of mobile communication with new communication satellites built in accordance with the new generation 5G infrastructure.
New generation communication satellites will start to support terrestrial 5G infrastructures with signals transferred from space to mobile devices on earth in the near future. Thus, uninterrupted wireless communication service will be provided to remote areas where terrestrial infrastructure cannot reach, cars and vehicles traveling between cities, ships in seas and oceans, airplanes in the air.
New space race for satellites
This new horizon of technology has already started a new space race for satellite communications.
Traditional communication satellites were positioned in the Ground Fixed Orbit, where the speed of movement in orbit is equal to the speed of rotation of the Earth in order to maintain their position relative to Earth for more than half a century.
However, the new generation satellites are currently positioned in Low Ground Orbit at an altitude of 160 to 2000 kilometers from the ground. However, as the speed of movement in this orbital position is higher than the rotation speed of the Earth, the positions of the satellites change and the coverage area is narrowing.
Companies and countries investing in satellite communications need satellite networks called “squadron” in order to sustain their communication signals in Low Orbit.
SpaceX, the US rocket and space shuttle manufacturer, has sent 300 satellites to orbit so far as part of its “Starlink” team project. The company plans to establish a network of 30,000 satellites in Low Orbit.
On the other hand, Amazon requested support from the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to build a network of 3 thousand 236 communication satellites, which it calls the “Kuiper System”. The company aims to provide broadband internet service to millions of customers through this network.
Founded by Indian Baharti Global and the British government’s investor, “OneWeb” company, by the American entrepreneur Greg Wyler, is also planning to establish a network of 650 satellites at the Low Orbit location at 1200 km.
Cube satellites
On the other hand, the smaller size of computers and electronic equipment allows for the production of satellites in miniature sizes different from the heavy and bulky structures of old satellites.
Small cube-sized satellites can now perform scientific observation, measurement, communication and other functions as effectively as their larger counterparts.
These small satellites, which can be attached to other loads on rockets or launched by the International Space Station (ISS), are considered an affordable option in terms of transportation cost as well as manufacturing.
