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specialreport

constellation in development, is Amazon's
Project Kuiper, which aims to provide afford-
able broadband services to underserved
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) communities worldwide. Amazon's first
Overview satellites are expected to be launched in
2024, and the goal is to create a network of
3,236 satellites. However, there are updates
LEO Economy
saying the company is postponing this plan
1 Expanding with services like satellite internet, to next year.
On the other hand, OneWeb, which is a
remote sensing, and space-based research,
driven by public-private partnerships. subsidiary of the London-based Eutelsat
Group, and provides broadband satellite In-
ternet services in low Earth orbit, is currently
Commercialisation working in collaboration with governments
Companies such as SpaceX, Amazon’s Project Kuiper, 2 and businesses, to bridge the digital divide
and OneWeb are launching large satellite constellations by offering internet connectivity in remote
for telecommunications and global connectivity. locations like Alaska and even parts of the
Arctic, by using LEO technology. Moreover,
LEO Manufacturing this technology is crucial for enabling better
3 Already happening with microgravity logistics and supply chain management in
difficult-to-access regions.
manufacturing and satellite assembly in
space, enhancing production capabilities. ISRO launched the Earth Observation
Satellite EOS-08 on August 16, 2024, via the
SSLV-D3 rocket. Built on the Microsat/IMS-1
Cargo Transport Potential bus, EOS-08 carries payloads for surveil-
LEO opens possibilities for faster and efficient lance, disaster monitoring, environmental
transport, and connected as well as transparent 4 analysis, and UV monitoring. Operating in
supply-chain models. a Low Earth Orbit at 475 km, the satellite
features advanced technologies like an
Integrated Avionics system, phased array
Key Players
5 SpaceX, Amazon, OneWeb, antenna, and flexible solar panels, marking
significant innovations in satellite design
and indigenization efforts.
Lockheed Martin, and Airbus.
Impact on logistics and
Privatisation supply chain
NASA shifts focus to deep space, while 6 Numerous studies show that these satel-
private companies take lead in developing lites can significantly impact logistics by
improving visibility and enabling stake-
sustainable LEO ventures.
holders to track everything along their
supply chains. As a result of these technol-
km) or less. This orbit is considered near LEO satellites communicate with land- ogies, companies can now monitor every
enough to Earth for convenient transpor- based IoT devices directly or through gate- good in transit in real time. By connecting
tation, communication, observation, and ways, using smaller antennas and requiring vessels across high seas where traditional
resupply. It also is the area where the Inter- less power. So, these satellites are cheaper networks fail to connect, LEO satellites can
national Space Station currently orbits and and quicker to deploy than GEO satellites. not only improve security of those cargo
where many proposed future platforms will Moreover, these satellite's reliability is en- ships but also aid in its efficiency and
be located.” hanced by being positioned in regions with operational transparency.
As compared to traditional geostationary less space debris. However, LEO connections Recent advancements show that LEO
(GEO) satellites, LEO satellites are posi- require a direct line of sight to function, satellites can also contribute to the effec-
tioned much closer to Earth. As a result, it which can sometimes be a limitation. tive operation of autonomous vehicles by
allows LEO satellites to offer low latency Some of the most recent examples of LEO enabling real-time data communication
(under 30 milliseconds) and high through- satellites in action include SpaceX's Starlink, between vehicles and control centres. For
put (approximately 100 Mbps), making which is one of the most prominent LEO instance, organisations are already using LEO
them ideal for real-time data transmission satellite networks. Starlink offers broadband connectivity to test autonomous shipping
applications such as logistics, transporta- internet to remote and underserved areas routes in Norway, because of its seamless
tion and communication. globally. Another large-scale LEO satellite communication and navigation features.
20 | OCTOBER 2024 www.stattimes.com