The second space race is here – not for the Moon, but for low Earth orbit (LEO). A global “LEO gold rush” is underway as companies and governments deploy megaconstellations of satellites promising broadband internet everywhere, connecting billions of devices, powering next-gen military networks, and imaging the entire planet daily. This comprehensive report examines the…
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Overview: The global satellite communications (satcom) industry is entering a decade of explosive growth and transformation. In 2024, the overall space economy reached $415 billion, with commercial satellite activities (like communications and broadcasting) dominating about $293 billion (71%) of that total ts2.tech. The number of active satellites in orbit has surged from ~3,300 in 2020…
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Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet network, has rapidly expanded coverage worldwide since its beta launch in 2020. As of mid-2025, Starlink service is available in over 110 countries and territories, with more on the way idemest.com. Below is an up-to-date regional breakdown of Starlink availability – including countries with full commercial service, those in beta or…
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Definition and Basic Principles Satellite imagery refers to images of Earth (or other planets) collected by orbiting satellites. These images are a form of remote sensing, meaning the data are acquired from a distance without direct contact. Satellites carry sensors that detect electromagnetic radiation reflected or emitted from the Earth’s surface. Most imaging satellites use passive sensors that rely…
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Imagine peering down at Earth through thick clouds or the dead of night and still seeing clear images of the surface. Traditional optical satellites are blind in such conditions – in fact, at any given moment about 75% of the planet is obscured either by cloud cover or darkness, making it inaccessible to optical imaging…
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Satellite Phone Basics What is a satellite phone? A satellite phone (or satphone) is a mobile phone that connects directly to orbiting satellites instead of terrestrial cell towers. This means it can place calls and send messages from almost anywhere on Earth, especially in regions without cellular coverage. Like a regular cell phone, a satphone supports voice calling…
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General Overview SpaceX has launched thousands of Starlink satellites (over 6,750 in orbit by 2025) to form the world’s largest satellite constellation and provide global internet coverage phys.org. Q: What is Starlink?A: Starlink is a satellite-based broadband internet service operated by SpaceX. It uses a constellation of small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) to beam internet connectivity…
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Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) like GPS have revolutionized how we find our position on Earth. Yet, the standard GPS accuracy (on the order of several meters) often isn’t sufficient for missions like precision farming, engineering surveys, autonomous navigation, or tectonic measurements gssc.esa.int. To bridge this accuracy gap, two advanced techniques have emerged over the…
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Stacks of Starlink satellites awaiting deployment in orbit. A new space race is underway—not for the Moon or Mars, but to blanket Earth in high-speed internet from space. Private companies and governments are launching mega-constellations of satellites by the thousands, aiming to beam broadband connectivity to every corner of the globe. The stakes are enormous:…
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High above Earth, in the crowded expanse of geosynchronous orbit (GEO) some 22,300 miles up, a set of American satellites quietly keeps watch. These are the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) satellites – often dubbed “neighborhood watch” satellites – and they form a covert but crucial line of defense in space. Born in secrecy…
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