O3b satellite constellation
Encyclopedia
The O3b Satellite Constellation is a new satellite constellation
designed for telecommunications and data backhaul from remote locations. The new constellation is scheduled for deployment in mid 2012 and will initially be made up of 8 satellites with plans to extend this to 16.
The constellation is owned and operated by O3b Networks, Ltd.
) at a velocity of approximately 11755 mi/h. Initially, the 8 satellites will rise and set every 45 minutes however this will fall to 22.5 minutes if plans to add an additional 8 satellites to the constellation.
Each satellite is equipped with 12 fully steerable Ka band
antennas with a proposed throughput of 1.25 Gbit/s and are powered by gallium arsenide solar arrays and Lithium ion batteries.
The contract for construction of the satellite vehicles was awarded to Thales Alenia Space
, a division of Thales Group
, the satellites being built in the Cannes Mandelieu Space Center
.
Satellite constellation
A group of artificial satellites working in concert is known as a satellite constellation. Such a constellation can be considered to be a number of satellites with coordinated ground coverage, operating together under shared control, synchronised so that they overlap well in coverage and...
designed for telecommunications and data backhaul from remote locations. The new constellation is scheduled for deployment in mid 2012 and will initially be made up of 8 satellites with plans to extend this to 16.
The constellation is owned and operated by O3b Networks, Ltd.
O3b Networks, Ltd.
O3b Networks, Ltd. is a next generation network service provider building the world’s first Medium Earth Orbit satellite constellation. The network will combine the ubiquitous reach of satellite with the speed of fiber to deliver satellite Internet services and mobile backhaul services to emerging...
Satellites
O3b satellites will be deployed in a circular orbit along the equator at an altitude of 8063km (medium earth orbitMedium Earth Orbit
Medium Earth orbit , sometimes called intermediate circular orbit , is the region of space around the Earth above low Earth orbit and below geostationary orbit ....
) at a velocity of approximately 11755 mi/h. Initially, the 8 satellites will rise and set every 45 minutes however this will fall to 22.5 minutes if plans to add an additional 8 satellites to the constellation.
Each satellite is equipped with 12 fully steerable Ka band
Ka band
The Ka band covers the frequencies of 26.5–40 GHz. The Ka band is part of the K band of the microwave band of the electromagnetic spectrum. This symbol refers to "K-above" — in other words, the band directly above the K-band...
antennas with a proposed throughput of 1.25 Gbit/s and are powered by gallium arsenide solar arrays and Lithium ion batteries.
The contract for construction of the satellite vehicles was awarded to Thales Alenia Space
Thales Alenia Space
Thales Alenia Space is an aerospace company born after the Thales Group bought the participation of Alcatel in the two joint-ventures between Alcatel and Finmeccanica, Alcatel Alenia Space and Telespazio.-History:...
, a division of Thales Group
Thales Group
The Thales Group is a French electronics company delivering information systems and services for the aerospace, defense, transportation and security markets...
, the satellites being built in the Cannes Mandelieu Space Center
Cannes Mandelieu Space Center
The Cannes Mandelieu Space Center is an industrial plant dedicated to spacecraft manufacturing, located in both the towns of Cannes and Mandelieu in France...
.