Posted on 06/28/2017 4:51:45 PM PDT by Mechanicos
Elon’s internet operation seeks to manufacture the satellite, launch on SpaceX hardware at cost, and operate network. Proposes 1 GHz down-link to individual XCVR stations, which interact with multiple satellite at any time. Satellite net shares an optical link between all orbital nodes.
Gonna get dark out there. End to agw.
Launch 12-16 satellite at one go.
Google has a much bigger bankroll, although their global WiFi project is a bit “looney”:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Loon
Iridium is focused on voice comms (sat phones) but the next generation aka “Iridium Next’ will add data transmission. It’s doing fine, by the way, signing the largest launch contract ever at 1/2 Bn dollars with SpaceX.
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I think they went bankrupt, but then the military bailed them out so to speak. The military got a product it wanted.
Someone has DEEP Pockets and Connections and they are not any Company or Individual named
Things that make ya go hmmmmm
No.
I am talking about a new “infrastructure” program the new Trump appointed FCC head said he was proposing, to get broadband internet access to the rural areas. This was just a couple weeks ago.
I made the point then than it was as counterproductive a program as the old Rural Electricification program of the “New Deal”. That program was a boon to the giant long distance (wasteful) electricity producers, but it cut off chances for what could have been promising R&D to improve wind turbines, generators and energy storage starting 70-80 years ago.
The question now is if One Web is banking on handouts from the new FCC “infrastructure” program, or does it have an economically efficient business model for its satellite program,one that does not require govt subsidy or handouts.
I don’t know the technical limitations; that said, doesn’t the Sirius/XM satellites have extra, unused transponders for back-up and expansion of services. Could a company lease these and provide the “sky internet” over the U.S.?
One feature of this satellite service, is that anyone with a skynet (you know the name will stick) transceiver will be able to access websites regardless of any effort of their local (non-US) government to block or censor traffic. It bypasses national ISPs.
Whats the fee going to be?
Will it be based on ability to pay and need for internet?
It also removes any Constitutional protections because the transmissions go out of our national territory.
Such protections would have to be provided by passing legislation.
OneWeb is reported to be using LEO (low Earth orbit) satellites wheras Sirious/XM is using geostationary orbiting platforms.
Sirius/XM are also transmitting downward and not receiving from customers upload links. No doubt there are upload links for maintenance and troubleshooting but not in terms of servicing customer uplinks.
I am not sure why OneWeb is contemplating LEO platforms but I would guess it has to do with cost. It takes a lot to bump a satellite into geostationary orbit and pulses have to be fired on occasion to maintain its geostationary orbit.
The airliner internet is intriguing and will certainly be a low-cost solution toward advancing high-speed internet into underserved areas. But from a prior life, my experience as an engineer wants reliability in terms of different modalities. If for any reason airliners were to be grounded, I would like to think there is a backup in wireless high-speed microwave grids. But that’s just me.
They can be jammed. I imagine the Chinese government would threaten to jam the signal unless they were granted a backdoor and/or kill-switch to control content.
This is how the Obamaphone scam got started. Originally this program was to establish “under-served” rural landline phone service.
Then it morphed into cellphones.
It was originally a scam to let fly by night Democrat supporters pretend to establish landline service at outrageous costs. Then it allowed the same type of folks to give away multiple free cellphones and charge back outrageous costs to the government (which then took it out of the universal access fees charged to paying customers).
Then it moved into broadband.
Here’s just one of the scams, brought to you courtesy of our corrupt government and government-connected scammers:
http://khon2.com/2016/12/05/communication-company-fined-for-improper-payments/
Btt
Thanks.
Greatest thing for the taxpayers since solar subsidies.
Or “Netsky” if you wish to note current political witch hunting type name.
Enough bandwidth to upgrade Free Republic to video, real time, simulated 3D character discussion.
Thanks Hostage. Good information.
Those are not the same as this technology. Those systems use a few geosync satellites to deliver internet at decent speeds, but with very high latency. For example, you cant effective use voice or video chat. Takes a relatively long time for the signal to get way out to Geosync orbit, and then back, and then the processing, yadda yadda.
This system uses LEO satellites, so the transmission times are much smaller.
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