Satellites, science, and the new fight for spectrum in space, Pg9

Key Highlights:

• A new space race is underway for radio frequencies and orbital slots, driven by companies launching large satellite megaconstellations.
• The megaconstellation market is projected to grow from $4.27 billion in 2024 to $27.31 billion by 2032, with a 25.5% annual growth rate.
• The ITU is the sole global coordinator for satellite spectrum and orbital slots, operating on a first-come, first-served basis.
• 2.6 billion people worldwide remained offline at the start of 2025, with vulnerable populations in South Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
• By 2030, operators are projected to launch over 50,000 satellites, adding to the existing 40,000 tracked objects in Earth's orbit.

Detailed Insights:

• The electromagnetic spectrum, particularly Ku-band (12-18 GHz), Ka-band (26-40 GHz), and L-band (1-2 GHz), is crucial for satellite communication, enabling data transmission between satellites and ground stations.
• The ITU's coordination system favors well-capitalized entities from spacefaring nations, as they can file applications early and navigate the complex coordination process effectively.
• Resolution 8 from the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 requires operators to notify deviations in orbital deployments and deploy 10% of their megaconstellation within two years, 50% within five years, and complete deployment in seven years.
• Low-earth orbit satellites offer lower latency (20-40 ms) and higher bandwidth compared to geostationary satellites (600+ ms), making real-time applications like telemedicine and online education more feasible.
• Closing the digital divide by 2030 requires $2.6-2.8 trillion in investments, highlighting the challenge of affordability, as Starlink's user terminal costs around $600 with monthly subscription fees.
• The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has recommended administrative spectrum allocation rather than auctions to accelerate deployment while maintaining affordability.
• ITU-R 74 requires satellites to be removed from orbit within 25 years of mission completion, but current compliance rates are low (at best 70%), leading to increasing space debris.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Megaconstellation: A large group of satellites working together to provide services like internet access.
• Spectrum: The range of radio frequencies used for wireless data transmission.
• ITU (International Telecommunication Union): A UN agency that coordinates the use of radio spectrum and satellite orbits globally.