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Quick scan: Starlink and Low Earth Orbit satellites
খবরে কেন?
Why Starlink beats geostationary satellites on lag: the LEO altitude fact GS3 space questions test
Starlink uses Low Earth Orbit satellites for low-latency broadband.
Why it matters: asked in UPSC 2002
What you need to know
2 মিনিট
Starlink's constellation operates mainly in Low Earth Orbit, a few hundred kilometres above the Earth, which gives low-latency broadband compared with geostationary satellites.
Satellite broadband regulation in India is the subject of the TRAI recommendation on network provider authorisation.
সূত্র: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
মূল তথ্য
Remember these
- Starlink's constellation operates mainly in Low Earth Orbit, a few hundred kilometres above the Earth.
- LEO gives lower latency than geostationary satellites, which sit far higher (about 36,000 km).
- Satellite broadband regulation in India is linked to the TRAI recommendation on network provider authorisation.
- TRAI is the telecom regulator; it recommends, while the Department of Telecommunications licenses.
প্রিলিমস · মেইনস
How the exam will ask it
প্রিলিমস
- Statement: Low Earth Orbit satellites generally offer lower latency broadband than geostationary satellites. (Correct)
- Statement: Starlink's constellation operates mainly in Low Earth Orbit, a few hundred kilometres above the Earth. (Correct)
- Statement: TRAI's recommendation on network provider authorisation bears on satellite broadband regulation in India. (Correct)
মেইনস
GS3 (Space and telecom). Issue: satellite broadband from LEO constellations promises low-latency connectivity, but needs a clear authorisation framework. Policy: the TRAI recommendation on network provider authorisation shapes how such services are regulated in India. Implication: wider rural reach versus spectrum and competition concerns; way forward is transparent, timely authorisation with safeguards for security and domestic players.
PYQ connection
A question UPSC has already asked on this
With reference to Indian satellites and their launchers, consider the following statements:
- All the INSAT series of satellites were launched abroad.
- PSLVs were used to launch IRS-series of satellites.
- India used the indigenously built cryogenic engines for the first time for powering the third stage of GSLV.
- GSAT, launched in the year 2001, has payloads to demonstrate digital broadcasts and internet services.
Which of these statements are correct?
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
- 2, 3 and 4
- 1, 2 and 4
- 1 and 3
উত্তর দেখুন
উত্তর: A
Why this matters: today's issue is directly connected to a concept UPSC has already tested. Read the story with this question in mind.
Practise this PYQ →Quick recall
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উত্তর দেখুন
উত্তর: —
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