Space-borne

Satellite communication networks utilize space-borne platforms which include low Earth orbiting (LEO) satellites, medium Earth orbiting (MEO) satellites, and geosynchronous Earth orbiting (GEO) satellites.

GEO SATELLITE

A geostationary satellite Earth orbit (GEO) is a circular orbit at 35,786 kilometers above the Earth's equator. An object in such an orbit has an orbital period equal to the Earth's rotational period and thus appears motionless, at a fixed position in the sky, to ground observers.

The GEO vehicle embarking a bent pipe payload or a regenerative payload telecommunication transmitter

MEO SATELLITE

Satellite: a space-borne vehicle embarking a bent pipe payload or a regenerative payload telecommunication transmitter, placed into medium-Earth orbit (MEO) typically at an altitude between 8000 to 20000 km.

LEO SATELLITE

THE Low earth orbit (LEO) is an Orbit around the Earth with an altitude between 500 kilometres (orbital period of about 88 minutes), and 2,000 kilometres (orbital period of about 127 minutes).

The Leo vehicle is embarking a bent pipe payload or a regenerative payload telecommunication transmitter

Table Matrix

	GEO (35,786km)	MEO (8000 to 20000 km)	LEO (500-2000KM)
Altitude latency	High	Low	Very low
Earth coverage	Very large	Large	Small
Satellites required	Three	Six	Hundreds
Data gateways	Few fixed	Regional flexible	Local numerous
Antenna speed	Stationary	1-hour slow tracking	10-minute fast tracking
Advantages	High throughput (HTS) technologies enable basic broadband internet applications	Proven low latency comparable to terrestrial networks, offers fibre-equivalent performance	Claims support for high-frequency trading, virtual gaming, and high-performance computing applications
Advantages	Fewer satellites over verv large fixed geographical areas	Simple equatorial orbit covers 96% of alobal population	Smaller, lower power satellites batch-launched more cheaply than GEO
Disadvantages	High altitude and distant ground networking impacts latencv-sensitive applications	Dual tracking antennas required to maintain continuous connectivity	Very complex tracking and ground network, plus complete constellation must be in place before service starts
Disadvantages	Signal power losses require larger satellites and antennas	Inclined plane orbits needed to cover high latitudes	Unproven business model, risky technology, and space debris risk