02-24-2014, 11:24 PM
GGD wrote:
[quote=Filliam H. Muffman]
[quote=GGD]
But how will computers on the ground access it. Space is well beyond WiFi range. Wonder what hardware will be needed to access it, and what that will cost.
Venezuelans set new WiFi distance record: 237 miles
Granted, geosynchronous orbit is 100 times that, but the biggest problems for distances like +200 miles for WiFi, are time delay and interference between devices.
That's great, but what can a MacBook Pro do?
If conventional WiFi had even a fraction of that range, imagine the War Driving you could do from a commercial aircraft. And also imagine the length of the WiFi menu as you see every network in your city.
You keep focusing on "WiFi"....
Keep in mind that moderately high bandwidth two way ground to satellite communications (example: Iridium) have been around for more than 40 years (No, Iridium hasn't been around for 40 years, like I said, that's just ONE example).
Will it be "new" hardware for consumers? Yes.
IF there is anything to these stories, I suspect that the backers and builders have already considered the technical aspects, as well as the consumer affordability.
Given how many "Cubesats" that one Falcon Heavy launch could put into orbit, and how many Falcon Heavy launch vehichles that SpaceX can build per year... it's a real interesting proposal.