Technology Trends/Low-Earth Orbit System
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Status | Translation | ||||||
Initial release | November 20, 2019 | ||||||
Latest version | November 20, 2019 | ||||||
Official publication | Low-Earth Orbit.pdf | ||||||
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Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) is a category which applies to a piece of electronic equipment that revolves around the Earth at lower altitudes, generally between 200 and 2,000 kilometers (km) above the Earth's surface, as opposed to objects in geosynchronous high orbit, generally 35,786 km above the Earth. For comparison, the International Space Station (ISS) is a LEO object which revolves approximately 400 km above the Earth’s surface.
Business Brief
Objects in high geosynchronous orbit, such as satellites, match the Earth's rotation and appear stationary, although they may drift north or south. [1] Whereas LEO objects move at extremely high speeds and are not fixed in space in relation to the Earth. [2] Geosynchronous satellites orbit in time with the Earth’s rotation at about 3.06 x 103 meters per second, whereas an LEO-satellite might travel at 7.78 x 103 meters per second, revolving around the Earth many times a day. An object in LEO is closer to the Earth which causes the object to orbit faster due to the Earth’s gravity. The ISS revolves around the Earth at 28,000 km/hr, completing one revolution around the Earth in 90 minutes for a total of 16 Earth revolutions per day, covering multiple regions of the Earth at different times.[3]
Technology Brief
Technically, a LEO satellite requires the lowest amount of energy for placement since it is closer to earth than high orbit satellites. In order to maintain a LEO, a satellite must have a sufficient orbital velocity, generally 7.8 km/second. They will remain in orbit until they run out of fuel. The last bit of fuel is actually being used to slow them down. That way they will fall out of orbit and burn up in the atmosphere. [6] NOAA, NASA and other US and international organizations are keeping track of all the satellites in space. When a satellite is launched, it is placed into a specific orbit to avoid collisions with others. However, collisions are inevitable, sometimes a satellite will fall out this orbit and potentially collide with another one.
As LEO is much closer to the Earth, the LEO-satellite provide better signal strength and high bandwidth since the signal travels less distance and therefore can reach its intended receiver much faster as well. It also eliminates the communication latency since the signal has least propagation delay comparing to the signal emitted from other orbits due to the closeness of LEO to the earth. With the lower latency, it can be used for real time critical applications. By being close to the earth, LEO-satellite are also used for earth observation and spying.
On the other hand, because the LEO has less distance from the surface of the earth, the communication of LEO satellites covers less area or region of the earth. In order to cover all of the area of the earth, a group of satellites, called a satellite constellation, is required to provide continuous coverage and some kind of redundancy at the same time. Generally where one satellite falls out of range, another one will be able to pick up the signal and continue sending it down the chain of satellites until the receiver is within range. In addition, the ability to send signals from satellite to satellite is much quicker since each satellite is very close to its neighbours, allowing for a smooth transition and less latency.
Industry Use
The global space marketplace has evolved and grown over the past decade. From a valuation of $176 billion in 2006, the global space marketplace has expanded to an estimate exceeding $345 billion in 2018. Perhaps the clearest illustration of the expanding interests of the private sector in space endeavors is the growth in venture capital investments over the past 2 decades. Consider that from 2000 through 2014, space start-ups received a total of $1.1 billion in venture capital investments, or roughly $73 million per year. In 2015 alone, more than $1.8 billion in venture capital investments were made. In 2016, more than 100 investors contributed $2.8 billion into 43 space-related start-up companies in 49 deals, with an average deal size of $57.1 million. In 2017, more than 120 investors contributed $3.9 billion into commercial space companies—an investment increase of nearly 40% within one year.[7]
With the advantage of high bandwidth and low latency, a LEO satellite can be used for telecommunication, such as telephone and data. The Iridium satellite constellation is an example of communication satellite system which orbits in a LEO. This satellite system is of 66 active communication satellites and spares around the Earth. It allows worldwide voice and data communications using handheld devices. The Iridium network is unique in that it covers the whole earth, including poles, oceans and airways. The satellites are frequently visible in the night sky as short-lived bright flashes, known as Iridium flares.
Companies like Oneweb and SpaceX are currently deploying a large amount of satellites that will eventually form Mega constellations to provide internet access on all parts of the globe.
Canadian Government Use
In Budget 2019, the Federal government has announced $1.7 billion CAD of funding for the Connect to Innovate program as well as for the creation of the new Universal Broadband Fund. Part of the Universal Broadband Fund will be directed towards securing low-latency LEO satellite capacity for broadband internet. [8]The aim of this initiative is to offer universal access to affordable, reliable, and high speed broadband connectivity to Canadians, no matter where they are located, and allow them to access the internet.
In July of 2019, the Government of Canada partnered with Telesat for the development of a LEO satellite constellation that will provide high-speed internet connectivity across Canada, with a focus on rural and remote communities in the North. The GC has pledged $85 million CAD in funding through the Strategic Innovation Fund for Telesat to develop and test its planned LEO constellation. [9]There is also a proposed contribution on the part of the GC of up to $600 million CAD to Telesat over a 10 year period to support the company’s deployment efforts. [10] The constellation will be stationed at an approximate altitude of 1000km and nearly 120 satellites will be included in the constellation. [11]
Implications for Government Agencies
Value Proposition
At present, Shared Services Canada (SSC) already uses LEO satellite systems from Iriduim, Inmarsat, MSAT, and Globalstar[14] to deliver satellite-based voice, fax, data and geolocation services that can be accessed from anywhere in the world. In 2017, SSC awarded three Iridium Satellite Services contracts totalling $13.2M to MetOcean Telematics and Track24 Canada for them to continue the Government of Canada’s provision of satellite services. [15]
The growth being seen in the LEO satellite market can be leveraged to complement the services that SSC already offers. As a service provider for the Government of Canada, SSC’s satellite team will be able to offer high-speed internet access at a lower cost to other departments that have operations in rural and remote communities.
Challenges
The European Space Agency estimates that nearly 166 million objects that range in size from less than 1mm to the size of a refrigerator are orbiting around the Earth at average speeds of 10km/second or 36,000 km/hour.[18] Any of these objects can cause considerable damage if they were to ever hit active satellites or even the International Space Station, and these impacts can even lead to the creation of more debris.
A theorized situation called the “Kessler Syndrome”, hypothesizes that a chain reaction of exploding space debris could create a deadly barrier around the earth that will prevent future space endeavours. [19]The NASA scientist Donald J. Kessler (after whom the effect was named) has warned that continued launches into LEO could create a dense environment above the planet where there is an increased likelihood of objects crashing into each other and creating an exponential amount of space debris.
The planned launch of around 120 satellites for the Telesat constellation, as well as all of the proposed 12,000 satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink constellation, and OneWeb’s 648 satellite constellation, will add considerably more objects to the LEO. The project listed here are not an exhaustive list, and other companies have expressed interest in launching their own constellations. The increase of satellite traffic creates new and unique challenges where no regulatory frameworks have previously been put in place. At present, when an organization seeks approval to launch satellites, they communicate with regulatory bodies from their own countries.[20]
At present, no international body monitors space debris. This task is currently carried out by the U.S. Air Force’s 18th Space Squadron who operates the Space Surveillance Network (SSN), can track objects larger than a softball in LEO and can predict close approaches, re-entries, and the probability of collisions.[22]
Low earth orbit satellites are close enough to the earth to be affected by atmospheric drag which means they will eventually crash down unless their courses are changed. Current disposal plans for LEO satellites simply involve them re-entering the atmosphere and being burned upon re-entry. [25]
Current satellite disposal standards indicate that satellites should be de-orbited 25 years after their end of life date.[27]This presents a regulatory gap, as more satellites are placed into LEO than are falling back down.
Concerns have been put forward by the astronomy and star gazing communities that the increased number of satellites in space will alter the view of the night’s sky. As they pass across the sky, a satellite’s solar panels can reflect the light from the sun back to the earth and create a visible streak. [29] With the increase in satellites, astronomers will need to adjust captured images to eliminate reflected light streaks.
Considerations
As mentioned above, the GC and Canada’s people have much to gain from LEO-satellite systems. SSC in particular already has experience offering satellite services and is well positioned to handle the new services that can be offered with satellite technology. Many of its partnered departments would benefit from accessing the added strength of LEO satellites from the current system in place. There are many of these other departments that require fast internet speeds but have not yet acquired such promises due to the lack of the current technologies’ abilities.
SSC will also need to consider the future
Most LEO-satellite system operations will need skills both in maintaining and managing the LEO-satellite service. Some skills may have to be leveraged from third parties to fill the gaps in SSC expertise. SSC should consider the talent it requires to continue offering LEO-satellite system services, as well as integrating and aligning new LEO-satellite service offerings with current legacy equipment, newer network and infrastructure, and the greater SSC corporate strategies.
References
- ↑ Rouse, M. (2019, August) low earth orbit (LEO) satellite Retrieved from whatis
- ↑ Low Earth Orbit (LEO) (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.techopedia.com/definition/8044/low-earth-orbit-leo
- ↑ Quora Contributor (2017, October 3) How Does the ISS Travel Around The World Retrieved from forbes
- ↑ Rouse, M. (2019, August) low earth orbit (LEO) satellite Retrieved from whatis
- ↑ Low Earth Orbit (LEO) (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.techopedia.com/definition/8044/low-earth-orbit-leo
- ↑ Where Do Old Satellites go When They Die? (2019, June 28) Retrieved from https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/spacecraft-graveyard/en/
- ↑ Johnson, M. (2019, July 9) The Emerging Commercial Marketplace in Low-Earth Orbit Retrieved from NASA
- ↑ Building a Better Canada: Universal High-Speed Internet (2019, March 19) Retrieved from https://www.budget.gc.ca/2019/docs/nrc/infrastructure-infrastructures-internet-en.html
- ↑ Memorandum of understanding between Industry Canada and Telesat Canada (2019, July 24) Retrieved from http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf11543.html#_blank
- ↑ Simmons, L. (2019, July 24) The Government of Canada and Telesat Partner to Bridge Canada’s Digital Divide through Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite Technology, Over $1 Billion in Revenue for Telesat expected Retrieved from Telesat
- ↑ The Canadian Press (2019, July 24) https://toronto.citynews.ca/2019/07/24/canada-invests-85m-into-advanced-satellites-to-connect-rural-remote-regions/ Canada invests $85M into advanced satellites to connect rural, remote regions Retrieved from CityNews
- ↑ What is the RCM? (2019, June 12) Retrieved from http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/satellites/radarsat/what-is-rcm.asp
- ↑ Iridium Satellite Services Contract Award (2017, July 26) Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/shared-services/news/2017/07/_iridium_satelliteservicescontractaward.html
- ↑ Satellite-For Administrators (2019, July 9) Retrieved from http://service.ssc-spc.gc.ca/en/services/infrastructure/network-infra/satellite-admin
- ↑ Milestones in the Collaborative Procurement Solutions Approach (2016, November 8)Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/shared-services/corporate/telecommunications-transformation/industry-engagement.html
- ↑ Rouse, M. (2019, August) low earth orbit (LEO) satellite Retrieved from whatis
- ↑ Rouse, M. (2019, August) low earth orbit (LEO) satellite Retrieved from whatis
- ↑ Mortillaro, N. (2018, February 26) Space junk threatens to disrupt our daily lives. Here's what experts are trying to do about it Retrieved from CBC
- ↑ Ratner, P. (2018, August 29) How the Kessler Syndrome can end all space exploration and destroy modern lifeRetrieved from Big Think
- ↑ Byers, M. (2019, July 28) With investment in Telesat, Canada enters the communications space race Retrieved from The Globe and Mail
- ↑ Mission Statement (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/information/Pages/mission-statement.aspx
- ↑ Space Debris and Space Traffic Management (2018, November 14) Retrieved from https://aerospace.org/article/space-debris-and-space-traffic-management
- ↑ The Associated Press (2019, September 4) European probe dodges SpaceX satellite to avoid collision Retrieved from CBC News
- ↑ 24 Cassella, C. (2019, September 4) Problems Predicted From Satellite Fleets Like SpaceX's Starlink Have Already Started Retrieved from science alert
- ↑ Brodkin, J. (2017, April 10) SpaceX and OneWeb broadband satellites raise fears about space debris Retrieved from ars technica
- ↑ Strickland, K.S. (2015, May 14) This Watery Graveyard Is the Resting Place for 161 Sunken Spaceships Retrieved from gizmodo
- ↑ Brodkin, J. (2017, April 10) SpaceX and OneWeb broadband satellites raise fears about space debris Retrieved from ars technica
- ↑ Grush, L. (2019, February 15) Watch a satellite spear space debris with a harpoon Retrieved from the verge
- ↑ Drake, N. (2019, May 19) Will Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites harm astronomy? Here’s what we know Retrieved from National Geographic
- ↑ Drake, N. (2019, May 19) Will Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites harm astronomy? Here’s what we know Retrieved from National Geographic