Space Internet [Infographic]

The idea of global internet via satellite is nothing new.

Pioneers that failed to capture the global frontier:

In the late 90’s several companies began projects to provide worldwide voice and data communications from mobile devices.

Iridium:

• Service launched: November 1, 1998
• Bankrupt: August 1999

Globalstar:

• First Call Placed: November 1, 1998
• Bankrupt: February 15, 2002

Both services declared bankruptcy not long after they were launched. Both companies have re-started and are providing hundreds of thousands of the customers with satellite phone and internet services today.

Source: ComputerScienceDegreeHub.com

Clash of the Titan

Titan Aerospace produces solar-powered drones

• High-tech, solar-powered satellite.
• Can travel the globe and stay in flight for up to 5 years.
• Can carry a payload of up to 70+ lbs.
• 54 feet long x 164 feet wide.
• Weighs 350 pounds.
• Can cover an area of over 6,500 square miles, meaning a single SOLARA platform has the reach of over one hundred terrestrial cell towers.

Early 2014: Facebook announced plans to purchase Titan Aerospace for $60 million

Facebook’s stated Goal: To bring internet access to developing areas.

This would be in direct competition to a Google project launched in Beta in Project Loon in 2011:

• Project Loon is a global network of high altitude balloons, which ride the winds in the stratosphere.
• They can coordinate with other balloons to provide stable internet coverage on the ground using solar powered electronics.
• Signals are transmitted from the balloons to a specialized Internet antenna mounted to the side of a home or business.

April 2014: Google purchased Titan Aerospace for an undisclosed amount.

Google’s stated goal: to improve imagery capabilities for Google Earth.

The Titan Aerospace SOLARA platform, would give Google the capability to use live mapping with a continuous stream of real-time data.

Titan Drone vs. Project Loon – How Do They Compare?

Longevity:

• Loon – 100+ days
• Titan – 1826+ days

Size (it matters):

• Loon – 49ft wide / 39ft high
• Titan – 120ft wingspan / 49.2ft long

Payload:

• Loon – 22 lbs
• Titan – 70+ lbs

Altitude:

• Outer space – 328,083 ft
• Red Bull Stratos Jump from space by Felix Baumgartner – 125,000 ft
• Loon – 60k – 90k ft
• Titan – 65k ft
• Commercial Airliners – 30k ft

Data:

• Loon: 3G (>0.1 Gbps)
• Titan: 1 Gbps

Coverage:

• Loon: Each balloon can provide connectivity to a ground area of about 485 square miles.
• Titan: Each drone can provide cell coverage of about 6,500 sq mi.

Titan Drones Pros and Cons

1. Fixed-wing drones are more reliable for long distances.
2. Easy to land if necessary.
3. Could potentially cause a lot of damage by falling in an urban area.
4. Likely to make other countries nervous.

Google Loon Pros and Cons

1. Safer and more accepted than drones.
2. Lightweight “weather” balloons are less likely to get shot down by governments.
3. Big balloons are risky to in the air – they’re thin and wear out easily.
4. Easily moved by high stratospheric winds (up to 100mph).

No matter how you look at it, Google’s got you covered.