Re:OneWeb will resume satellite launches with SpaceX as the ...
by nradov on Monday March 21, 2022 @12:26PM
(#30756006)
Iridium constellation is in LEO. The ground terminals are able to use simpler antennas mainly because the data rate is much lower.
Re:OneWeb will resume satellite launches with SpaceX as the ...
by manquer on Monday March 21, 2022 @06:18PM
(#30760443)
Yes, that was incorrect, they are at 780KM orbit, I was thinking Inmarsat who use GEO.
Phased Array does help in improving signal strength(and bandwidth) by focusing on the orbital plane only, however I thought since Iridium uses L-Band(1-2GHz) and SpaceX uses Ku-Band(12-14Ghz), there is additional dish size required anyway and also rain fade issues meant higher strength is required in Ku to operate well.
Also spaceX launched iridium next gen satellites as well.
OneWeb (and iridium) will just operate in their own markets .
Iridium for example could work in different devices than starlink as they are not LEO and do not need the complex phased array setup starlink needs