By The new Omega satellite promises to offer more internet capacity at a low cost with a new satellite designed to beam over 50Gbps of internet capacity to the Earth.
Recently, the US-based Astrainis said, “Pound-for-pound the most powerful communications satellite for higher geostationary orbits or about 22, 000 miles above the planet, 60 times further than a typical Starlink satellite”.
The Astranis first-generation satellites have already delivered 10Gbps. This includes beaming internet to users in Alaska with download rates around 25Mbps.
The speeds do not impress Starlink users, who can receive 200Mbps or higher downloads depending on congestion. The new Astranis Omega satellites promise to provide customers that range from ISPs to enterprises to governments with access to a competitive and low-cost alternative to SpaceX’s satellite internet system.
They also created a new software-defined radio, along with in-house designed semiconductors, to power Omega’s 50Gbps capacity. Performance improvements will be made only by slightly increasing the satellite size.
The new Omega comes in at 600 kilograms, up from 400 kilograms from the first-gen satellites. The new geostationary Jupiter 3 satellite from HughesNet is more than 9.000 kilograms.
“The Astrains can build the Omega satellites at a faster clip. Up to 12 Omega satellites can be launched on a single medium-class rocket. The customers will get more at lower prices”, said Astranis CEO John Gedmark.
Gedmark did not say what kind of internet speeds could expect, they will depend on how many satellites will be used.
He added, “For our commercial customers, Omega will mean unprecedented flexibility and access to advanced capabilities like dynamic shifting of capacity to where broadband internet is in highest demand”.
“We provide connectivity to businesses that ultimately decide on what speeds to offer end customers. But there’s no reason our connections won’t be just as fast as any terrestrial or satellite option.”
Astranis plans on launching the first Omega satellites in 2026 after completing work on the flight vehicle next year.
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