Context: Elon Musk has agreed to extend support to internationally recognized aid organizations in Gaza through a satellite-based communications system, Starlink. 

What is the Starlink Project?

• About: Starlink is a satellite-based connectivity project that aims to provide high-speed internet access to underserved and remote areas.
• Satellite Links: The Starlink project consists of over 5,500 mass-produced small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). There are plans to launch 12,000 satellites as a part of the project.
• Salient Features:
  • Hall-effect Thrusters: These allow the satellites to raise their orbit, stabilize, and de-orbit after completing their life cycle.
  • Low Brightness: Starlink satellites will reduce their brightness during operation.
  • Collision Avoidance: The satellites have been designed to autonomously and smoothly avoid collisions.

What is Satellite Internet?

• Working: Satellite internet works by providing internet access through communication satellites.
  • Internet access is usually provided through geostationary satellites that can offer relatively high data speeds, which can go up to 506 Mbit/s.
  • Internet signals are relayed by satellites, which are then caught by a home-based antenna kit.

How Does Satellite Internet Work?

• Components: Satellite-bassed internet relies usually on three components for working – a satellite, ground stations, and a pack of small antennae and transceivers, which is owned by each subscriber.
• Mechanism: The ground stations, known as gateways, relay Internet data to and from the satellite via radio waves. These waves are received by satellites and relayed back to individual antennas and transceivers.
• Monitoring the Network: The system also includes a modem at the user end which links the user’s network with the transceiver, and a centralized network operations centre (NOC) for monitoring the entire system.

What Are the Advantages of Satellite Internet?

• Bridge Digital Divide: Satellite internet removes geographical barriers to accessing the internet. People from any part of the Earth can have internet connectivity.
• No Need for Wiring: There is no need to create new wiring infrastructure to serve far-off areas.
• Maritime Communication: Satellite internet is suitable for communication in isolated areas, especially on high seas.
• Security: The chances of hacking into a satellite-based internet connection are tougher compared to simple cable-based internet.

What are the Drawbacks of Satellite Internet?

• Space Debris: The decommissioned satellites as well as junk parts may further increase space debris.
• Ground-based Astronomy: The satellite constellation may hamper ground-based astronomy, hurting scientific studies.
• Congest Space: The 12,000 satellites planned by Starlink will further congest the already over-populated satellite orbits.
• Safety of Satellites: The debris from Starlink may initiate Kessler syndrome. This is a scenario perpetuated by collisions between orbiting objects, creating more debris and thus creating a domino effect of future collisions.
• Signal Latency: The latency in satellite internet is higher than in traditional internet. Usually, satellite communications account for approximately 550 milliseconds of latency round-trip time.
• Signal Interference: Satellite-based internet connectivity is affected by moisture and various forms of precipitation, causing interference.
• Higher Costs: Compared to cable-based internet, satellite internet is costly due to the sophisticated equipment involved.

How Can Satellite Internet Affect Ground-Based Astronomy?

The satellite constellation may hamper ground-based astronomy, having a negative effect on scientific studies.

What Are Other Types of Internet Connection?

Do You Think It Can Curtail the Issue of Digital Divide? Is India also working in this Regard?