A SpaceX rocket carrying 60 satellites lifts off. (Photo: AP Photo/John Raoux)
A new generation of low-flying satellites promises an "Internet from space", that will be able to cover even remote regions around the world. Computer scientists at ETH Zurich are proposing a novel network design that could double the network capacity of such systems. Satellites do not yet play a major role in the world's Internet infrastructure. However, this may soon be set to change. Within the next decade, a new generation of satellites could lay the foundations for an "Internet from space", believes Ankit Singla, professor at ETH Zurich's Network Design & Architecture Lab. His team is investigating how to improve the performance of large-scale computer networks, including the Internet. Exploiting advances in cost-cutting technologies in the space sector, the new satellite systems would use thousands of satellites instead of the tens of satellites used in past systems.
TO READ THIS ARTICLE, CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT
And extend your reading, free of charge and with no commitment.