In recent years, there has been a surge in the number of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites being launched into space. One of the most notable players in this field is SpaceX’s Starlink, which aims to provide high-speed internet access to people around the world. But what exactly is the science behind these LEO satellites, and why are they so beneficial?
Firstly, let’s define what we mean by LEO satellites. These are satellites that orbit the Earth at an altitude of less than 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles). This is in contrast to geostationary satellites, which orbit at an altitude of around 36,000 kilometers (22,000 miles).