gogo Low-Earth Orbit LEO Satellite Internet Instructions
- June 1, 2024
- gogo
Table of Contents
gogo Low-Earth Orbit LEO Satellite Internet
Specifications:
- Provider: Gogo Galileo
- Satellite Constellation: Eutelsat OneWeb’s constellation with over 588 satellites
- Coverage: Full coverage from pole-to-pole
- Customer Support: 24/7 worldwide customer support
Product Usage Instructions
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Understanding LEO Satellite Internet
LEO Satellite Internet utilizes a constellation of satellites orbiting the Earth to provide continuous global coverage. It offers high-speed internet connectivity for business aviation users. -
Components of a LEO Network
Gogo Galileo’s broadband service utilizes Eutelsat OneWeb’s constellation with over 588 satellites. These satellites orbit the Earth to ensure full coverage. -
Choosing a Provider
When selecting a LEO satellite internet provider, consider factors like network bandwidth, satellite handoffs, and ground infrastructure design. Verify the provider’s performance in the field before committing.
How Many Satellites Does a LEO Constellation Need?
The number of satellites required varies based on altitude, coverage area, network capacity, user numbers, and reliability. Typically, hundreds to thousands of satellites are needed for global coverage.
Network Congestion & SLAs
Assess a provider’s commitment through Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to ensure reliable bandwidth for critical users. SLAs guarantee performance levels and differentiate consumer vs. enterprise-grade services. -
Network & Data Security
Ensure that the LEO satellite internet provider offers robust network and data security measures to protect your sensitive information during transmission. -
Customer Service & Support
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Gogo provides 24/7 global customer support and remote diagnostic services to maintain system functionality. Contact them for assistance or issue resolution.
FAQ:
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Q: How can I assess a provider’s network performance?
A: Evaluate factors like network bandwidth, satellite handoffs, ground infrastructure design, and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to gauge a provider’s performance in the field. -
Q: How many satellites are typically needed for a LEO constellation?
A: A LEO constellation usually requires hundreds to thousands of satellites to ensure global coverage and continuous connectivity. -
Q: What should I do if I encounter connectivity issues?
A: Contact Gogo’s 24/7 customer support for assistance. They offer remote diagnostic services to troubleshoot and resolve issues efficiently.
YOUR GUIDE TO LOW-EARTH ORBIT (LEO) SATELLITE INTERNET
ALWAYS CONNECTED IS THE NEW EXPECTATION
High-speed internet connectivity inflight is a critical component of business
aviation. Access to information and communication is essential to passengers,
pilots, and crews, who increasingly need to remain connected to their work and
personal lives wherever they go. Low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite
constellations can now provide fast, inexpensive, and reliable internet
connectivity to business aviation jets and turboprops, in addition to the
high-speed, low-latency air-to-ground networks available in North America. To
help you better understand your satellite connectivity options, Gogo has
created the following guide to assist you as you navigate the promise and
reality of LEO broadband satellite internet for business aviation.
DID YOU KNOW?
- There are roughly 40,000 business aviation aircraft around the globe.
- These aircraft are flying more and more each year, almost 17% more from 2021 to 2022.
- However, 95% fly without Wi-Fi, leaving a lot of under-utilized hours while the aircraft is in flight.
WHAT IS LEO SATELLITE INTERNET AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR BUSINESS AVIATION?
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LEO satellite internet is a game-changer for business aviation because it provides fast, and reliable
low-latency connectivity worldwide. Traditional satellite systems rely on large and expensive satellites that are placed in geostationary orbit (GEO) at ~26,000 miles (~42,000 kilometers) above Earth while LEO constellations, in contrast, orbit at ~600 miles (~965 kilometers) above Earth. The network resilience of a LEO constellation is also much higher than that of GEO constellations because they are not dependent on a single or very small number of satellites. With LEO satellite internet, users can access high-speed broadband and enjoy high-quality video conferencing, real-time data transfer, and other online services, all with low latency, anywhere on Earth. -
“Where GEO is restricted by physics and look-angles, LEO can provide excellent line of sight everywhere, all the time – which will result in more consistent performance, regardless of aircraft position and direction – even at low latitudes. LEO services will provide truly global, high performance, low latency inflight connectivity to the aviation community – an experience limited only by the users’ imagination rather than the available bandwidth.” – Ben Griffin, One Web’s VP of Mobility
THE COMPONENTS OF A LEO NETWORK
LEO satellite constellations consist of many small satellites orbiting the Earth at a relatively low altitude, typically between 500 and 2000 kilometers (approximately 300 to 1,250 miles). These satellites work together to provide total global coverage, ensuring that there is always a satellite overhead to maintain connectivity. In addition to the satellites, satellite systems require user terminals (antennas) to communicate with the satellites and ground stations to manage the satellite network and transmit data to and from the satellites.
CHOOSING A PROVIDER
When evaluating LEO satellite internet providers, it is important to verify they work as advertised in the field. While a network may offer high bandwidth, actual bandwidth will depend on a variety of factors, including:
- The number of satellites in the network
- Network congestion
- An antenna’s ability to execute satellite handoffs
- The design of the ground infrastructure
HOW MANY SATELLITES DOES A LEO CONSTELLATION NEED?
The number of satellites required for a LEO constellation depends on various
factors, such as the altitudes of the satellite orbital planes, the number of
desired in-orbit spares, the desired coverage area, overall network capacity,
the anticipated number of users, and network reliability. Generally, a LEO
constellation requires a significant number of satellites (in the hundreds or
thousands) to achieve global coverage and ensure continuous connectivity.
NETWORK CONGESTION & SLAs
- While LEO networks can have a greater capacity than traditional satellite communication networks, they can still become congested if too many users are accessing the network simultaneously. When this occurs, the network provider may prioritize bandwidth allocation to ensure that users deemed to have highest priority needs receive adequate bandwidth. For business aviation, it is important to assess not only the total bandwidth available, but also to look at the total number of users across all markets that constellation serves.
- One way for business aviation users to assess a provider’s commitment to ensuring critical users receive adequate bandwidth is via a Service Level Agreement (SLA). Without an SLA, there is no guarantee on minimal performance and could denote a “best effort” consumer approach vs. a committed enterprise level of service.
UNDERSTANDING ANTENNAS
- LEO constellation satellites are continuously orbiting the planet and do not maintain a fixed location overhead, the way GEO satellites do. From a fixed point on the ground, a single satellite may only be seen overhead for a few minutes at a time. As a result, most LEO networks utilize Electronically Steered Antenna (ESA) technology. An ESA is an electronically controlled array of antenna elements that can be non-mechanically steered to point in different directions without moving the antenna itself. ESAs don’t have moving parts, which reduces the risk of mechanical failure to nearly zero.
- A network’s ability to perform quick and accurate beam and satellite handoffs is especially critical for aviation customers. In contrast to tracking an antenna from a fixed point, the speed of an aircraft, as it moves across the coverage area, increases the rate of handoffs. If the handoff process is not executed quickly and accurately, the connection to the aircraft can be lost. To overcome this issue, satellite networks must employ advanced algorithms that predict handoff points and pre-allocate the necessary resources, such as frequency channels and power levels.
- The Gogo Galileo antenna system, designed in cooperation with Hughes Network Systems, is designed and built specifically for business aviation applications. Gogo offers two low-profile ESA sizes to ensure a perfect fit on nearly all business aircraft based on aircraft size and needs. Gogo additionally manages all support, certification, and installation processes in partnership with OEMs and Dealers and follows FAA change management process for continued airworthiness – ensuring that the antenna meets the highest level of airworthiness and build quality.
NETWORK & DATA SECURITY
- Security is a top priority when considering a LEO internet provider to keep data and networks protected from potential cyber threats. Users should expect the same standards of security that they have on regular broadband connections to prevent eavesdropping, tampering, and unauthorized re-direction of internet traffic. Overlay networks such as private relays and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) should seamlessly integrate and be supported, and all communications must be kept private, unaltered, and supported with end-to-end encryption. Ensuring your global inflight connectivity provider specializes in advanced aviation network and data security is imperative. The best security systems are built from the ground up and integrated into every level of the network. You can read more about Gogo’s industry-leading cybersecurity practices here.
CUSTOMER SERVICE & SUPPORT
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Having a robust customer support and service network in place is paramount to minimizing downtime and ensuring reliable internet connectivity for business aviation when issues arise. When selecting
a connectivity provider, consider the level of customer service and support that is offered. With high expectations from the crew and passengers for reliable and uninterrupted internet connectivity during flights, it is essential to have a provider that can offer prompt and effective assistance in the event of any technical issues or system downtime. A provider that offers live 24/7 support with trained experts you can talk to in person, and one that has a global network of certified service centers, can provide peace of mind and expedite any corrective action that may be required. -
Gogo offers 24/7 worldwide customer support and has a global network of customer service and product support teams who are always available to keep your systems operational. Gogo also offers remote diagnostic and support, allowing our support team to connect directly to your hardware and solve issues without having to send a tech or replace your LRU.
Connect with us:
- + 1 888.328.0200 (Toll-free)
- + 1 303.301.3271 (Worldwide)
- [email protected]
- gogoair.com