The Advent of LEO Satellites, Satellite IoT and Future of Connectivity

Article Overview

1. What are LEO satellites?
2. What is Satellite IoT?
3. #LEOREADY
4. The Big News for Innovators
5. The Major Players leading Satellite IoT space
6. Conclusion

What are LEO satellites?

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites are a type of artificial satellite that orbits the Earth at altitudes ranging from approximately 160 kilometers (100 miles) to 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) above the Earth’s surface. These satellites orbit the Earth at a much lower altitude than other types of satellites, such as geostationary satellites, which orbit at much higher altitudes.

LEO satellites are used for a variety of purposes, including communications, remote sensing, and scientific research. Because they are closer to the Earth, LEO satellites can provide faster data transmission speeds and lower latency than other types of satellites. They also have shorter orbital periods, which means they can provide more frequent coverage of specific areas of the Earth’s surface.

One of the main advantages of LEO satellites is their relatively low cost, compared to other types of satellites. They can be launched using smaller rockets, and their proximity to the Earth means that they require less power to operate. However, because they are in a lower orbit, LEO satellites must constantly be moving to avoid falling back to Earth due to atmospheric drag, which requires more frequent adjustments to their orbit.

What is Satellite IoT?

Satellite IoT (Internet of Things) refers to the use of satellite networks to connect and communicate with IoT devices, which are typically small, low-power devices that are designed to collect and transmit data from the physical world.

Satellite IoT is particularly useful in situations where terrestrial communication networks are unreliable or unavailable, such as in remote or offshore areas, or in situations where large amounts of data need to be transmitted over long distances. Examples of applications for satellite IoT include environmental monitoring, asset tracking, and remote sensing.

Satellite IoT networks typically use Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, which orbit at altitudes between 500 and 2000 kilometers above the Earth’s surface, and provide low-latency, high-bandwidth connectivity to IoT devices. Some of the key advantages of satellite IoT include global coverage, scalability, and resilience to natural disasters and other disruptions. However, satellite IoT networks can be expensive to deploy and operate, and may require specialized hardware and software to interface with IoT devices.

#LEOREADY

In coming years there is going to be drastic changes in way tools of connectivity are implemented for residential and commercial purposes. As many companies have ventured out “into the space” for enabling truly global connectivity, a reality for people, there will be many replacements in the ground. The primary question that businesses are going to face in this context is that – Are you LEO ready? This means are your systems and processes ready to be integrated with global connectivity offered by LEO satellite based communication service providers. As global connectivity brings in new opportunities for products and services based on satellite IoT, new age transceivers will be implemented. It has potential to replace the current offerings by Internet Service Providers and hence will have direct impact on the way businesses work. It is essential that businesses adapt to this tectonic shift and start becoming LEO ready.

The Big News for Innovators

As a company for Nextler Innovations this opens up opportunities to build products that connects with people seamlessly with the help of satellite IoT. One of our prime areas of operations is the seafood supply chain. Satellite IoT will tremendously boost our initiatives in this field. We envision an integrated and organized mode of seafood supply which addresses the importance of seafood traceability.

For innovators, satellite IoT offers numerous potential applications in various industries and sectors. Here are some examples of the areas where satellite IoT can be implemented:

1. Agriculture: Satellite IoT can be used for precision farming, which involves using sensors and analytics to optimize crop yield and reduce waste. For example, satellite IoT can help farmers monitor soil moisture levels, track weather patterns, and detect plant diseases.
2. Environmental monitoring: Satellite IoT can be used to monitor various aspects of the environment, such as air and water quality, deforestation, and wildlife habitats. This information can be used to inform policy decisions and take action to protect the environment.
3. Asset tracking: Satellite IoT can be used to track assets such as vehicles, shipping containers, and equipment in remote or offshore areas where terrestrial networks are unreliable. This can help companies optimize their logistics and reduce the risk of theft or loss.
4. Emergency response: Satellite IoT can be used to support emergency response efforts in remote or disaster-prone areas. For example, satellite IoT can be used to track the location of people who are stranded or injured, or to provide early warning of natural disasters.
5. Energy and utilities: Satellite IoT can be used to monitor and manage energy and utility infrastructure, such as power grids and pipelines. This can help companies detect and respond to issues more quickly, and optimize their operations to reduce costs and improve reliability.

These are just a few examples of the many areas where satellite IoT can be implemented. As the technology continues to evolve, it is likely that new and innovative applications will emerge.

The Major Players leading Satellite IoT space.

There are several global companies that are currently working on satellite IoT technologies and solutions. Here are some of the key players in this space:

1. Inmarsat: Inmarsat is a British company that provides global mobile satellite communications services, including satellite IoT solutions. The company’s offerings include connectivity services, IoT devices, and analytics platforms.
2. Orbcomm: Orbcomm is a US-based company that provides global machine-to-machine (M2M) and IoT connectivity services using satellite, cellular, and terrestrial networks. The company’s offerings include IoT devices, connectivity services, and analytics platforms.
3. Iridium Communications: Iridium is a US-based company that provides global mobile satellite communications services, including IoT connectivity solutions. The company’s offerings include IoT devices, connectivity services, and analytics platforms.
4. Globalstar: Globalstar is a US-based company that provides global satellite-based voice and data communications services, including IoT connectivity solutions. The company’s offerings include IoT devices, connectivity services, and analytics platforms.
5. SES: SES is a Luxembourg-based company that provides global satellite-based communications services, including IoT connectivity solutions. The company’s offerings include IoT devices, connectivity services, and analytics platforms.
6. Kineis: Kineis is a French company that provides low-cost, low-power IoT connectivity solutions using a constellation of small, low-Earth orbit satellites. The company’s offerings include IoT devices, connectivity services, and analytics platforms.

These are just a few examples of the global companies that are working on satellite IoT technologies and solutions. As the market for satellite IoT continues to grow, it is likely that new players will emerge and existing players will expand their offerings.

Conclusion

With so much possibilities, events and players in the latest space of connectivity, like everyone we are also eager to make our contributions and help the world become truly globally connected. As you know our mission is to revolutionize industries with top class, sustainable, technology products and services. Our technologies and expertise can help your business become #LEOREADY. If you would like to get in touch with us to know how, let’s connect.