About the History of Satellite Internet
Satellites have intrigued technophiles since the first one went into orbit in the 1950s. Since that first "bird" flew, satellites have evolved into complex communication, defense, spy and even Internet devices. This article will explore the history of satellite communications and its lead-up to satellite-based Internet service, as well as some of the common benefits and considerations about the use of this 21st century service.
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Satellite History
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As the post-World War II cold war between the United States and the Soviet Union raged, the two nations were in relentless competition. One of these competitions, the so-called "space race," seemed to constantly escalate with a new advancement every few years. On October 4, 1957, one of the most prominent of these achievements occurred as a Russian R-7 rocket lifted Sputnik-1 into orbit. As the first man-made satellite to enter Earth's orbit, Sputnik-1 opened the upper atmosphere and the closest reaches of space to what would become a crowded, but crucial, government and commercial operational arena.
Satellite Communications
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As satellite launches were achieved by both nations and began to become routine, commercial interests began to take note of the potential for satellite devices. In 1960, American Telephone and Telegraph (AT&T) filed notices of intent with the United States government declaring their intention to put a communications relay satellite in orbit. The government, having begun work on their own passive and active satellite services, approved the request and immense planning began. In 1962 (around the same time the Internet was being born), the United States created an official government department charged with overseeing satellite communications, and by 1964, six communications satellites (four government-owned and two private) were in orbit.
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Satellite Internet
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As technology continued to improve, the Internet continued to grow, and the number of satellites in orbit continued to increase, researchers began working on ways to transmit data across wireless communication relays--like packet radio and satellite repeaters. These efforts came to fruition in 1973, when researchers successfully linked two European computers to an American network by way of satellite communication services. As the technology grew and matured, more and more data found its way across satellite connections until, in 1996, the first consumer satellite Internet service went into service. Marketed as Internet services for remote users and those who could otherwise not access networks without expensive long distance charges, DirecPC (which later became HughesNet) set the precedent for satellite Internet services of today.
Benefits
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Originally marketed to Internet users who did not have access to local points-of-presence (POP), satellite Internet has always brought Internet connectivity to those in remote areas. This tradition continues, offering near-broadband Internet access speeds to customers who would otherwise have no data connectivity. The service is considerably faster than dial-up service, and is offered by some companies at prices comparable to Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) access.
Considerations
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While satellite Internet service does offer access speeds approaching those of other broadband services, the great distances over which data must travel do inhibit the actual throughput rates experienced by users. Because the service offers download speeds of around 600 kilobits per second (600Kbps), customers accustomed to cable and DSL services may find satellite Internet surprisingly slow. Upload speeds are even slower, with upload throughput resembling that of dial-up connections. Finally, users in locations with heavy snow or frequent cloud cover may experience service interruptions as precipitation, snow accumulation, and heavy clouds can negatively affect the ability of the service to communicate with the orbiting satellite.
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