This is the Year Internet From Space Gets Really Serious

GordonThree wrote:
Why does this thread show several new replies but a blank 2nd page. Were posts redacted or something else?

I've noticed this in other threads, and wondered too. Maybe a mod will chime in.

2oldman wrote:
Latency (delay) has been a nagging problem for satellite service so far. Don't know if this system will be better, although these will be Leos.

The new systems use LEO (low Earth Orbit) Birds, the older ones Geo-Sync. so latency will be greatly improved with the new systems.

If you would like a "Sample" of the new systems there is an internet TV show I watch called Ham Nation.. Google it and watch a few episodes.

The show was founded by two Hams, one in California the other in the Ozarks. Bob Heil K8EID (Founder and CEO Heil Sound, member Rock and roll hall of Fame, Theater Organist) uses ViaSat to stream video both from the studio in California to his home base in the Mountains and back during the show. Multiple channels.

OF course he pays for "Additional bandwidth" but you can see how well it works.

Space X also just launched a top secret, likely billion dollar, satellite and it failed to reach orbit and is assumed lost. Space is a tough business!

Why does this thread show several new replies but a blank 2nd page. Were posts redacted or something else?

Exciting times.

wa8yxm wrote:
I was reading and add and they are talking about unlimited bandwidth for seven bucks. of course that will likely be 77 by the time you get billed. but HEY. that would really drive prices down for wired service. and they also talked about hte posibility of MOBILE devices on the network.

OF course remember this was an add wanting to sell me a book telling me who to invest in... (alas. do not have investment funds to invest with. So did not pursue beyond the ad.

I am howeer familure with the Iridium system. it really DOES work.

You'll be happy to see this then: SpaceX

I was reading and add and they are talking about unlimited bandwidth for seven bucks. of course that will likely be 77 by the time you get billed. but HEY. that would really drive prices down for wired service. and they also talked about hte posibility of MOBILE devices on the network.

OF course remember this was an add wanting to sell me a book telling me who to invest in... (alas. do not have investment funds to invest with. So did not pursue beyond the ad.

I am howeer familure with the Iridium system. it really DOES work.

Yeah, not this year.

2oldman wrote:
Latency (delay) has been a nagging problem for satellite service so far. Don't know if this system will be better, although these will be Leos.

That should help a lot. EchoStar 19 (HughesNet) is at 23,200 miles where LEO is at about 1,200 miles. Between DNS resolution and the actual request, you're typically around 600-800 ms minimum (due to the speed of light) for a response from HughesNet. With a LEO satellite, you're only losing about 30 ms to that portion of it.

I thought Zuckerbergs was deploying free WiFi using tethered weather balloons?