- LEO SAT, VIASAT, and INMARSAT Satellite News
- LEO Satellites: Low-Latency Connectivity for Remote Areas and Maritime Use
- Global Yacht Internet
- The Proposed Merger Between Viasat and Inmarsat Presents an Interesting Twist
- The High Cost of LEO Satellites: Connectivity at a Price
- The Merger Between Viasat and Inmarsat
- Yacht Internet at High Altitudes
LEO SAT, VIASAT and INMARSAT Satellite News
By Susan Jobe, The Triton
No discussion about the future of yacht internet is complete without addressing the increasingly critical need for reliable, high-speed broadband service at sea. As technology evolves and the virtual world grows ever more inextricable from the functions of modern life, constant internet access is quickly becoming more than a luxury or even an expectation – eventually, it will be a nonnegotiable necessity for owners, guests, and crew alike. How do we get there from here? How do we unlock that potential? Could LEO Sat hold the key?
As with all things Elon Musk-related, LEO Sat has been garnering quite a bit of press attention. A division of Musk’s aeronautical company SpaceX, LEO Sat is also the name of its rapidly expanding constellation of low Earth orbit satellites (LEOs) intended to eventually blanket the planet with high-speed internet access. On Jan. 6, SpaceX sent 49 of the small, mass-produced LEOs into orbit, bringing the total to almost 2,000 satellites launched, with thousands more to come.
The land-based beta service, licensed and available in about 20 countries, uses small satellite dishes that receive signals through large SpaceX-operated ground stations.
LEO Satellites: Low-Latency Connectivity for Remote Areas and Maritime Use
LEO Sat satellites operate at altitudes between 550-1200 km, according to an FCC report. This low-orbit approach reduces the distance for signals to travel, allowing for less latency. Lower latency is crucial for voice and video calling, gaming, and live content streaming. For those in remote areas where internet access has been slow, unreliable, or unavailable, this is a game-changer.
However, this system is primarily land-based. Could LEO Sat also transform service at sea? Musk has stated on Twitter that maritime applications would be “relatively easy” to implement. He believes it could work globally by mid-year, once enough satellites with laser links are launched. SpaceX began adding these laser links to satellites in early 2021, starting with those in polar orbits. Now, all satellites launched have been upgraded with these links.
These “space laser” links are essential. They allow satellites to relay signals from boats far from shore by bouncing them off other satellites until the signal reaches a land-based ground station. From there, it connects to the broader internet. LEO Sat claims that information travels faster through “the vacuum of space” than even through fiber-optic cables. Musk tweeted that “laser links in orbit can reduce long-distance latency by up to 50%,” due to the faster speed of light in a vacuum and shorter path compared to undersea fiber.
Global Yacht Internet
Still, several hurdles need to be crossed. One major challenge is licensure and regulatory approval. LEO Sat has received a license for beta testing on only 10 ships, including two of SpaceX’s autonomous spaceport drone ships used for landing Falcon 9 rocket boosters. The International Telecommunication Union, a United Nations agency that oversees global communication technologies and satellite systems, has already granted some approval.
However, competition is fierce. Companies like Amazon’s Kuiper, OneWeb, Telesat, HughesNet, 036 mPOWER, and established satellite giants such as Inmarsat, Iridium, and Viasat are all vying for a share of the market. This has led to regulatory complications and concerns about the increasing amount of “space junk.” The growing debris poses a threat to the visibility of the night sky and increases the risk of collisions in an already crowded orbital space. The U.S. Space Surveillance Network estimates that it is currently tracking about 15,000 pieces of space debris, some as small as 4 inches. For example, in July and October 2021, the Chinese Space Agency notified the United Nations that their Tianhe manned space station had to change course to avoid colliding with a LEO Sat satellite.
THE PROPOSED MERGER BETWEEN VIASAT AND INMARSAT PRESENTS AN INTERESTING TWIST
SpaceX has taken steps to address concerns about satellite visibility. Specifically, they upgraded the satellites to reduce brightness during operation. Additionally, the company developed technology that enables satellites to autonomously avoid collisions by using uplinked tracking data. They have also equipped the satellites with krypton-fueled thrusters. These thrusters allow the satellites to leave orbit at the end of their life and disintegrate upon re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere.
In its documentation to the FCC, SpaceX noted that lower orbits will help the satellites re-enter the atmosphere more quickly if a failure occurs. Their proximity to Earth allows the fleet to broadcast signals at reduced power levels. This complies with limits designed to minimize radio interference with other satellite and terrestrial wireless networks.
Moreover, antenna technology presents another challenge. LEO Sat uses flat-panel terminals equipped with multiple high-throughput antennas and a single solar array. Unlike traditional parabolic dishes, these flat-panel terminals need stabilization on a moving ship. According to SpaceX’s recent FCC application to deploy Earth Stations in Motion (ESIMs) in U.S. and international waters, these specialized, high-performance units have been ruggedized for harsher environments. Consequently, they can operate effectively under greater extremes of temperature and weather. However, only sea trials will determine if they are ruggedized sufficiently.
The High Cost of LEO Satellites: Connectivity at a Price
Let’s discuss cost. According to a filing with the ITU, LEO Sat plans to launch approximately 42,000 satellites to provide worldwide internet coverage. Interestingly, the minimum number needed for full operational capability is around 4,425. However, launching these satellites will incur astronomical costs. Additionally, mass-produced LEO satellites typically have a life expectancy of just five years. Consequently, this short lifespan necessitates the continual launch of replacements in the thousands.
Moreover, not every satellite will function properly. Some will fail, while others will be intentionally de-orbited due to technical issues or because they are replaced by newer models. Recently, astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics estimated that, of the 1,900 LEO Sat satellites launched to date, only 1,468 are currently operational.
Furthermore, Martin Kits van Heyningen, CEO of satcom service provider KVH, emphasized that LEOs represent the most expensive method for delivering satellite connectivity. He stated, “It’s not a lower cost solution; it’s a lower latency solution.” Clearly, KVH is closely monitoring the situation and preparing for the future. As Kits van Heyningen mentioned, “We’re already developing LEO-ready maritime satcom antenna equipment.”
Navigating the Seas of Connectivity
As the demand for reliable, high-speed internet at sea continues to grow, yacht owners and maritime operators are faced with the challenge of navigating the ever-changing landscape of maritime connectivity. With advancements in satellite technology and the emergence of innovative solutions like LEO Sat, Viasat, and Inmarsat, there are more options available than ever before. However, understanding the complexities of each system and selecting the right solution for your specific needs can be daunting. At Marine Data Solutions, we’re here to help you navigate the seas of connectivity and find the perfect solution to keep you connected wherever your adventures take you.
The Promise of LEO Sat
LEO Sat holds tremendous promise for revolutionizing maritime connectivity with its constellation of low Earth orbit satellites. With lower latency and higher speeds compared to traditional satellite systems, LEO Sat has the potential to deliver seamless internet access to vessels of all sizes, from superyachts to commercial ships. As SpaceX continues to expand its LEO Sat constellation and overcome regulatory hurdles, the future of maritime connectivity looks brighter than ever.
Podcast:
The Promise of LEO Sat
The Merger Between Viasat and Inmarsat
The proposed merger between Viasat and Inmarsat presents an intriguing development in the world of satellite communications. With Viasat’s focus on high-speed internet services and Inmarsat’s global coverage capabilities, the merger has the potential to create a powerhouse in the maritime connectivity industry. If approved, the merger could lead to exciting new opportunities for yacht owners and maritime operators seeking reliable, high-performance internet solutions.
Addressing Regulatory Challenges
While advancements in satellite technology offer promising solutions for maritime connectivity, regulatory challenges remain a significant hurdle to overcome. The approval process for deploying satellite constellations and securing licensure for maritime use can be complex and time-consuming. Additionally, concerns about space debris and interference with existing satellite networks must be addressed to ensure the sustainability of satellite communications in the long term.
Looking Towards the Future
Despite the challenges and uncertainties, the future of yacht internet looks promising with the rapid pace of technological innovation and industry collaboration. Whether it’s through LEO Sat, Viasat, Inmarsat, or other emerging solutions, yacht owners can look forward to enhanced connectivity and communication capabilities while at sea. At Marine Data Solutions, we remain committed to staying at the forefront of maritime connectivity and providing our clients with cutting-edge solutions to meet their evolving needs.
Yacht Internet at High Altitudes
According to Paul Comyns, senior director of channel sales at Intellian Technologies, it will be three to five years before the satellite constellation fills out. “It will, however, change the architecture of the industry as it opens up IoT [the Internet of Things that allows inter-connected devices to collect and share data without human intervention] and delivers connectivity at extreme latitudes,” he said. That change can’t come soon enough for yacht crew.
“Owner and guest expectations are high,” Dave Johnson, a retired superyacht captain, said of reliable broadband aboard luxury cruisers. “Costs of monthly service, as well as download speeds, are the issue. More creative programs, as well as 24- hour support, are always appreciated.”
While cost and availability of that support (especially to captains) are yet to be determined, it’s the timeline that is the big question. Despite Musk’s ambitious predictions, skeptics say LEO Sat seems to be years away from fielding enough satellites for service at sea. Also, the recent announcement of the proposed merger between Viasat and Inmarsat presents an interesting twist, since Viasat is marketing speeds that rival LEO Sat, while Inmarsat is working toward complete global coverage. That merger, if approved, is expected to take place by mid-2022.
Corey Ranslem and Zuzana Prochazka contributed to this report.