Understanding the Impact of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellites on Network Performance
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites are the backbone of the Iridium Network, orbiting approximately 780 to 1,000 kilometers above the Earth. This relatively close proximity to the planet allows the Iridium Network to deliver low-latency, high-reliability communications across the globe, including over the poles—areas traditionally underserved by geostationary satellites. The unique constellation of 66 active LEO satellites enables the network to provide seamless and continuous coverage, ensuring that users can communicate from any location on Earth without the delays and interruptions often associated with higher orbiting satellite systems. This architecture is crucial for delivering critical services such as global SOS, real-time data transmission, and voice communication, especially in remote and challenging environments where traditional communication infrastructure is nonexistent.