Satellite Internet

Satellite Internet

There are many areas of the world where Internet services are not readily accessible. One of the ideas for providing poorly services areas with Internet was Google’s Project Loon which used high altitude balloons.

 

But there are also Satellite Internet contenders. Theses were nicely covered by recent blogs at CIS 471 and I’ve picked out some essential bits of information.

 

Boeing

Boeing Satellite Internet Plan

Boeing Satellite Internet Plan

The image above shows Boeing‘s plans to cover the earth with 2956 satellites. You can read more at Boeing’s satellite Internet project.

 

SpaceX

The next company is SpaceX who are also involved in rocket and satellite design. They are looking at 4425 satellites in low earth orbit.

 

SpaceX Satellite Back Haul

SpaceX Satellite Back Haul

SpaceX believe that they can speed up Internet Back Haul by reducing the number of router hops required. The example above shows five space hops (including up and down) replacing 14 conventional hops. You can read more at SpaceX satellite Internet project status update.

 

OneWeb

And OneWeb are looking to provide Global Internet access, especially to the developing world.

 

OneWeb Transceiver Footprint

OneWeb Transceiver Footprint

They plan to use beam steerable techniques to allow frequency reuse and clean hand off as the satellites move overhead. And at seriously fast data rates.

 

What I found very encouraging is the degree to which BoeingSpaceX and OneWeb are collaborating and cooperating in order to make sure that they can coexist and all provide effective services. This included adjusting planned orbital heights and frequency usage.

 

So great to see another example of just how much Collaboration can enable opportunities, even when the collaborators look like competitors.

 

Successful Endeavours specialise in Electronics Design and Embedded Software Development, focusing on products that are intended to be Made In AustraliaRay Keefe has developed market leading electronics products in Australia for more than 30 years. This post is Copyright © 2017 Successful Endeavours Pty Ltd.

Space Goes Private

SpaceX Dragon Docks with ISS

It has been a while in the making, but the the SpaceX Dragon capsule has docked with the International Space Station and the beginning of a new era is upon us. Private enterprise is now making deliveries into space.

 

SpaceX Dragon at the ISS

SpaceX Dragon at the ISS

At 6:56AM on 25 May 2012 the International Space Station grapple attached itself to the SpaceX Dragon craft preparing to dock. This has been a long time in the making and my congratulations go to the team at SpaceX for having made this possible. Designing systems for space is a lot harder than for terrestrial environments and in particular, the increased radiation means you have make sure Electronics Designs are able to handle that and protect themselves from inadvertent state changes as high energy particles penetrate the shielding and deliver directly to tracks, gates and junctions. Aerospace Engineering is just that bit tougher in these environments.

 

The full story can be read at ISS Welcomes SpaceX Dragon along with a good collection of pictures and a detailed description of the entire process.

 

Docking was completed at 8:52AM.

 

SpaceX Dragon Docked with ISS

SpaceX Dragon Docked with ISS

 

Successful Endeavours specialise in Electronics Design and Embedded Software Development. Ray Keefe has developed market leading electronics products in Australia for nearly 30 years. This post is Copyright © 2012 Successful Endeavours Pty Ltd