Satellite Constellation Internet Affordability and Need

TL;DR

This paper discusses the potential of large satellite constellations to provide global broadband Internet, highlighting their limited affordability and need for underserved populations, while also addressing environmental and astronomical concerns.

Contribution

It offers a critical review of satellite constellations' impact on astronomy and argues that their primary service targets are populations with limited need or affordability.

Findings

Satellite constellations may harm astronomy and the environment.

Most satellite Internet services will target populations where it is not needed or affordable.

Environmental and astronomical impacts of satellite constellations are significant.

Abstract

Large satellite constellations in low-Earth orbit seek to be the infrastructure for global broadband Internet and other telecommunication needs. We briefly review the impacts of satellite constellations on astronomy and show that the Internet service offered by these satellites will primarily target populations where it is unaffordable, not needed, or both. The harm done by tens to hundreds of thousands of low-Earth orbit satellites to astronomy, stargazers worldwide, and the environment is not acceptable.