Within the satellite community, multi-orbit continues to be at the center of industry conversations and the focus of investment and innovation.
By combining multiple satellite networks into one solution and leveraging the inherent strengths of each, satellite operators are moving beyond reliance on a single network, developing multi-orbit satellite solutions that harness the signals of different orbits to deliver the best of all worlds. End users of satellite across a range of sectors no longer need to select a solution that uses one network over the other, compromising latency for speed or bandwidth availability for global reach.
Harnessing the Power of Multiple Satellite Networks
A multi-orbit solution consisting of Geostationary (GEO) and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites offers a blend of low-latency, high-throughput data, high availability and seamless, reliable global reach across diverse geographical areas. Combining GEO and LEO enhances connectivity experiences for aviators, mariners, and enterprises operating in remote and connectivity-challenged locations. First responders and public service officials can leverage multi-orbit to quickly establish carrier-grade connectivity in affected communities and coordinate emergency response activities on the ground. Military and defense users can have greater communications flexibility and powerful backup support systems to ensure uninterrupted and secure communications in hostile and dangerous environments.
While a multi-orbit configuration that includes GEO and LEO networks alone delivers these and other connectivity benefits, the inclusion of Medium Earth satellites to the mix deepens the overall value of any multi-orbit solution by introducing new layers of availability, resilience and reliability.
A Better and More Complete Multi-Orbit Solution
Sandwiched between GEO and LEO in a crucial middle orbital layer, MEO satellites complete a truly powerful and maximally effective multi-orbit solution by delivering added performance, coverage, and flexibility. Situated approximately 8,000 kilometers above the equator, below high-altitude GEO satellites and above low-flying LEO satellites, MEO provides the perfect balance of geographic reach, low latency performance, and unique steadiness.
Because signals travelling from MEO satellites to Earth are much shorter than those from GEO, latency is reduced, allowing for faster voice and data transmission. This, combined with the high stability of MEO, is ideal for supporting cloud services, video conferencing, telemedicine applications, or any use case where responsiveness and real-time data exchange are important.
As compared to LEO, MEO satellites cover a larger geographic footprint with many satellites and fewer handovers, resulting in less potential for interruption of service should a satellite fail. A couple of dozen MEO satellites can cover the globe and deliver continuous service for the world’s population, while LEO networks require hundreds or thousands of satellites for continuous coverage.
Because MEO satellites are further from Earth than LEO, they do not deliver the same low levels of latency. However, the difference is often indistinguishable to the end user. Instead of minimal latency speeds, however, MEO offers a level of stability and predictable latency that LEO cannot. The steadiness of MEO eliminates jitter and packet loss, making it ideal for voice and video calls. Without the frequent handovers that are a hallmark of LEO networks, users experience fewer signal drops or degradations caused by packet loss while using MEO networks.
The wider coverage provided by Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites enables connectivity to ground stations located in more centrally positioned, secure, and stable areas. This architecture enhances the overall resiliency and security of satellite services, while also reducing latency caused by extended terrestrial backhaul. These advantages make MEO systems particularly well-suited for government and enterprise customers that demand high-performance, reliable connectivity.
Satellite connectivity today is no longer about choosing one orbit over another – it’s about orchestrating all orbits together in a cohesive, seamless solution. By adding the attributes and inherent strengths of MEO to LEO and GEO, satellite operators and solution providers can deliver unprecedented levels of coverage, speed, and reliability and tailor easily to specific service priorities for different use cases.
