While nations race to the Moon, a parallel competition is intensifying in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for two limited resources: Radio Frequency (Spectrum) and Orbital Slots. This is driven by Megaconstellations (fleets of thousands of satellites like Starlink & OneWeb).
The Resources at Stake:
- Radio Frequency (Spectrum): The “oxygen” of space; essential for data transmission.
- Orbital Slots: Specific physical coordinates required to beam signals without interference.
Which Frequency Bands Matter?
- L-Band (1–2 GHz): Primarily used for GPS/Navigation (penetrates clouds/rain well).
- Ku-Band (12–18 GHz): The workhorse for Satellite TV and Internet.
- Ka-Band (26–40 GHz): High-frequency band for High-Speed Data/Broadband.
- Key Constraint: Spectrum is a limited natural resource; signals must be coordinated to avoid “jamming.”
How is Space Governed? (The Role of ITU)
- The Body: International Telecommunication Union (ITU) (UN Specialized Agency).
- Function: Sole global coordinator for satellite spectrum and orbital slots.
- Allocation Principle: Historically “First-come, first-served.”
- Issue: Favors early movers (developed nations) and encourages “warehousing” (claiming slots without using them).
- Recent Reform (WRC-23 Resolution 8): To prevent hoarding, operators must now meet strict deployment milestones:
- 10% of satellites deployed within 2 years.
- 50% within 5 years.
- 100% within 7 years.
| Feature | Geostationary Orbit (GEO) | Low Earth Orbit (LEO) |
| Altitude | ~36,000 km | 150 – 2,000 km |
| Latency | High (~600ms) | Low (20–40ms) |
| Use Case | Broadcast TV, Weather | Real-time Internet, Telemedicine |
| Coverage | Fixed spot over Earth | Requires “Constellations” to cover Earth |
Where Does India Stand?
- Strategic Assets:
- GSAT-N2: ISRO’s high-throughput satellite serving the Northeast & Andaman.
- OneWeb: India has a strategic stake via Bharti Enterprises.
- Policy Stance (TRAI):
- The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended Administrative Allocation of satellite spectrum.
- Why? Unlike terrestrial spectrum (mobile), satellite spectrum is a shared resource (non-exclusive); auctions could artificially inflate costs and hinder universal coverage.
The Sustainability Threat
- Debris: Projections show 50,000+ satellites by 2030.
- ITU-R 74: Mandates satellites to be de-orbited within 25 years of mission end. (Compliance is currently low: <70%).
