A feasibility study of a mobile communication network using a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites

An effort was made to study whether the increased survivability, true global coverage, and reduced path loss of a LEO (low Earth orbit) network could be utilized to give a viable mobile communication system. The architecture of such a network is complex, but it is expected that the use of advanced technology can overcome most limitations. An optimum constellation is considered, and the first three layers of a digital network are examined. Under certain simplifying assumptions it is shown that the proposed configuration is viable and compares favorably with a similar geostationary network with regards to the overall space-segment cost. The cost benefit begins to favor the LEONET for simpler spacecraft. It is also noted that it may be possible to scale down the LEO constellation to a small size so as to provide continuous coverage above ≈70° latitude, where geostationary satellites are ineffective. This hybrid architecture is also likely to minimize interference with geostationary satellite systems in the congested mobile bands