Day 4: Space » More questions
Mo (host): Take a look at some more questions and answers relating to Space below...
Question:
How many satellites are in the atmosphere around Earth?
How many satellites are in the atmosphere around Earth?
Answer:
According to the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), there are over 8,200 satellites orbiting the Earth. More than 4,800 of those satellites are currently active.
According to the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), there are over 8,200 satellites orbiting the Earth. More than 4,800 of those satellites are currently active.
Question:
What can we do in school to learn more about Space?
What can we do in school to learn more about Space?
Answer:
There are loads of online resources you can access – check out this link from the UK Space Agency which includes making radio contact with the International Space Station. If you're close to London, there's both the Science Museum and the Royal Observatory in Greenwich you can visit as well.
There are loads of online resources you can access – check out this link from the UK Space Agency which includes making radio contact with the International Space Station. If you're close to London, there's both the Science Museum and the Royal Observatory in Greenwich you can visit as well.
Question:
Will all connectivity be provided by satellites in future?
Will all connectivity be provided by satellites in future?
Answer:
Satellite connectivity is complementary to terrestrial connectivity. There will always be applications and use cases that require higher capacity and lower latency than is achievable with satellites. For those, terrestrial connectivity is extremely important.
Satellite connectivity is complementary to terrestrial connectivity. There will always be applications and use cases that require higher capacity and lower latency than is achievable with satellites. For those, terrestrial connectivity is extremely important.
Question:
How long do satellites stay in orbit, can satellites fall out of space?
How long do satellites stay in orbit, can satellites fall out of space?
Answer:
Satellite operators can decide to remove a satellite from orbit by performing a series of manoeuvres called de-orbit manoeuvres. This can happen at any point during the mission at the operator's discretion! The main factor contributing to satellites not staying in orbit is the Earth's atmosphere! Satellites are slowed down by the air up there until they fall back to Earth. For LEOs, the amount of time can go from hours (if they are very very low - around 150km altitude) to thousands of years (around 1,500km altitude). Satellites on higher orbits are usually considered to stay in orbit for ever!
Satellite operators can decide to remove a satellite from orbit by performing a series of manoeuvres called de-orbit manoeuvres. This can happen at any point during the mission at the operator's discretion! The main factor contributing to satellites not staying in orbit is the Earth's atmosphere! Satellites are slowed down by the air up there until they fall back to Earth. For LEOs, the amount of time can go from hours (if they are very very low - around 150km altitude) to thousands of years (around 1,500km altitude). Satellites on higher orbits are usually considered to stay in orbit for ever!
Question:
What is the future of satellite technology and its potential impact on society?
What is the future of satellite technology and its potential impact on society?
Answer:
The future of satellite technology can best be summarised by saying that things on the ground connecting to satellites are going to become smaller and cheaper, and the services delivered from satellites will be quicker and better performing. Connecting satellites directly to mobile phones rather than to satellite dishes is the most exciting trend we are seeing. The impact of society will be greatest in areas which are poorly / not at all served by the Internet. That’s a much bigger issue in developing countries – imagine the transformation in education in a society who today cannot access the Internet to one tomorrow that can. It’s going to be huge!
The future of satellite technology can best be summarised by saying that things on the ground connecting to satellites are going to become smaller and cheaper, and the services delivered from satellites will be quicker and better performing. Connecting satellites directly to mobile phones rather than to satellite dishes is the most exciting trend we are seeing. The impact of society will be greatest in areas which are poorly / not at all served by the Internet. That’s a much bigger issue in developing countries – imagine the transformation in education in a society who today cannot access the Internet to one tomorrow that can. It’s going to be huge!
Got a question? email computerscience@bt.com