🌐 Space Glossary

Satellite Internet & Mega-Constellations

The technology behind broadband from space — mega-constellations, laser inter-satellite links, ground terminals, latency, and the race to connect the unconnected. 11 terms, each explained in plain language with key data and links to live trackers.

DTC Direct-to-Cell Satellite technology that connects directly to standard mobile phones Low Earth orbit GS Gateway Station Where a broadband constellation plugs into the internet Ka and aboveRadome farms on fibre G Guowang China's state-run national broadband constellation China SatNet~12,992 satellites KB Ka-Band The high-capacity radio band behind satellite broadband 26.5–40 GHz≈18–31 GHz LIS Laser Inter-Satellite Link Optical links that route traffic between satellites in space Up to ~100+ GbpsThousands of km Mega-Constellation A satellite network of hundreds to thousands of spacecraft in coordinated orbits 3,236 planned648 operational OS Orbital Shell The altitude-and-inclination layers a mega-constellation lives in 16,326 liveAltitude + inclination Q Qianfan China's Shanghai-backed answer to Starlink Spacesail (SSST)~1,296 by 2027 ST Satellite Train A just-launched batch flying in single file to its stations Days–weeksLower = faster S Starlink SpaceX's mega-constellation providing global broadband internet from LEO 7,000+ (2026)480–570 km (LEO) UT User Terminal The dish on the roof that talks to a moving sky Ku / Ka user links

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