Low Earth Orbit Satellites (LEOs)

Low Earth Orbit Satellite constellations for Internet access are on the horizon.

They could help lower Internet costs, increase its speed for users, or close the digital divide. Or they could put Internet access into the hands of a few large companies and introduce security and privacy concerns. With most LEO constellations in early stages of deployment, there are still many unknowns.

As the LEO-based industry matures over the next few years, you have a chance to guide the discussion and shape the future of this new form of Internet access.

Are LEOs the Future of the Internet, and What Exactly Are the Benefits and Drawbacks?

Startups like SpaceX’s Starlink, Amazon’s Project Kuiper, OneWeb, and Telesat are racing to launch large systems of low Earth orbit satellites to provide Internet access. Could they help close the digital divide, or will they create more challenges?

“Perspectives on LEO Satellites” helps you understand what LEOs are, how they work, and the opportunities for everyone. The paper takes a deep dive into the questions they raise—about affordability, spectrum use, space debris, interoperability, security, privacy, and open standards—and some of the questions we should be thinking about now, while we can still shape the future of this emerging technology.

Read the Paper

A globe with satellites floating around it

Growing the Internet

By understanding low Earth orbit satellites, we can make smarter choices and help the Internet thrive by:

Looking at the pros and cons of LEO satellite systems for closing the digital divide
Identifying the factors policymakers and technologists should consider