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Technology Explained
Back in December, we started a bit of an expose of the ways that we were able to get communication channels to and from a cruise ship off the coast of Alaska. We mentioned LEO, which unlike Harlequin's astrological sign, stands for Low Earth Orbit. We saw that LEOs comprise a constellation of satellites in a polar orbit and because of their closeness to earth must orbit at a speed that counteracts the pull of gravity. This means that one satellite cannot sustain a continual data stream to Earth-bound tracking stations as their horizon to horizon time is around 3.5 hours. So, the constellation is set up to have at least one satellite coming over the horizon as the first one is beginning to set over the opposite horizon. In real life, there is always 3 satellites that can be tracked through the sky at ony one time. Therefor, most Earth stations will have a minimum of 2 satellite dishes (antennae) tracking at least 2 satellites alternately. Quality installations will have 3 dishes as dis the Holland America line's Zuiderdam that kept us in touch with the world even while rolling a bit in 5 metre seas. More on the mechanics of that next month. Till then, keep surfing and blogging!
Back in December, we started a bit of an expose of the ways that we were able to get communication channels to and from a cruise ship off the coast of Alaska. We mentioned LEO, which unlike Harlequin's astrological sign, stands for Low Earth Orbit. We saw that LEOs comprise a constellation of satellites in a polar orbit and because of their closeness to earth must orbit at a speed that counteracts the pull of gravity. This means that one satellite cannot sustain a continual data stream to Earth-bound tracking stations as their horizon to horizon time is around 3.5 hours. So, the constellation is set up to have at least one satellite coming over the horizon as the first one is beginning to set over the opposite horizon. In real life, there is always 3 satellites that can be tracked through the sky at ony one time. Therefor, most Earth stations will have a minimum of 2 satellite dishes (antennae) tracking at least 2 satellites alternately. Quality installations will have 3 dishes as dis the Holland America line's Zuiderdam that kept us in touch with the world even while rolling a bit in 5 metre seas. More on the mechanics of that next month. Till then, keep surfing and blogging!
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