Low Earth orbit satellite internet
Also called: LEO broadband, Starlink · Topic: World Transport and Communication · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet is broadband that comes from large groups of satellites, called constellations. They orbit only a few hundred to about 2,000 km above the Earth. Because they are close, signals travel quickly and the delay is low. They can serve remote areas, ships and war zones where cables do not reach. The main problems are space debris (junk in orbit), harm to astronomy, questions of national control and security, and the digital divide.
Example
SpaceX's Starlink kept internet working in Ukraine during the war, after ground networks were damaged. India began licensing such services in 2025 (verify current). Other systems include Eutelsat OneWeb and Amazon Kuiper.
Don't confuse with
- Geostationary communication satellites: satellites such as India's GSAT series orbit about 36,000 km up. They stay over one spot on Earth, but their signals take longer to arrive. LEO satellites are much closer and move fast across the sky.