
Satellite internet technology has evolved significantly since the 1990s. Several technological innovations have made high-speed satellite internet possible, which satellite internet companies capitalized on t to define the future of the service. To understand how satellite internet service evolved into what it is today, it’s helpful to look back at the history of satellite technology.
The History of Satellites
When was the first satellite launched?
In 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first satellite, Sputnik, into orbit and kicked the Space Race into high gear. The United States launched its answer to Sputnik, Explorer 1, the following year on January 31, 1958. While the Soviet satellite could only produce a high-pitched beep so ground control could track its movements, Explorer 1 could relay scientific data back to Earth and was the first satellite to detect the Van Allen radiation belt.
After Explorer 1, the history of satellites moved quickly. NASA launched Tiros-1, the first weather satellite, in 1960, and Bell Labs’ first communications satellite was in orbit by the end of 1962.
The Early Days of Satellite Internet
Before the 1990s, satellite communication was primarily limited to broadcasting and military applications. All this changed in 1996 when Hughes Network Systems launched the first satellite to deliver internet for rural areas.
While a groundbreaking achievement, early satellite internet had many limitations, including slow speeds, high latency, and limited availability. Customers needed more, and Hughesnet® worked diligently to improve our service plans' availability, speed, and network bandwidth.
Since 1996, Hughesnet has revolutionized satellite internet. In 2017, the launch of the EchoStar XVII and XIX high-throughput satellites made Hughesnet the first satellite internet provider to meet broadband speeds.
Technological Advancements in Satellite Internet
Satellite technology improved significantly with the advent of geostationary satellites. A satellite in geostationary orbit remains in a fixed position above the Equator and mimics Earth’s rotation. The first of these satellites was launched in 1963 by Hughes Aircraft Company (now Hughes Network Systems, LLC), whose success jumpstarted the development of satellite technology for television broadcasting, telecommunications, and military applications.
2023 saw the latest addition to the Hughesnet satellite fleet, the launch of the Jupiter 3® satellite. The largest telecommunications satellite in the history of satellites, the Jupiter 3 processes information at more than 500 gigabits per second and allows Hughesnet internet plans to offer speeds of up to 100 Mbps.
High-throughput satellites like Jupiter 3 provide faster speeds and lower latency than previous satellites used for high-speed internet service. Almost all satellite internet companies now use high-throughput satellite technology to provide internet service to homes and businesses.
How do we get massive satellites like the Jupiter 3 into orbit? Learn how satellites are launched!
How many satellites circle the earth?
According to the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, 11,330 satellites currently orbit the earth, including navigational, research, defense, and the telecommunication satellites that make satellite internet possible. These satellites are categorized by their orbital altitudes:
Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO): Geostationary satellites match the earth's rotation and orbit at an altitude of 36,000 km (approximately 22,369 miles). Geostationary satellites include weather, broadcast television, and the high-throughput satellite internet companies use.
Medium Earth Orbit (MEO): MEO satellites have orbits ranging from 5,000 to 20,000km (3,100 to 12,47 miles) and are often used for GPS and other navigation apps. MEO satellites also provide high-bandwidth data connectivity to government agencies and some commercial enterprises.
Low Earth Orbit (LEO): Thousands of satellites lie in low Earth orbit at 500 to 1,200km (310 to 745 miles). Most LEO satellites are used for science, global imaging, and low-bandwidth telecommunication.
Satellite technology has come a long way since its beginnings during the Space Race, and advancements continue to lead to more applications in our everyday lives. Hughesnet internet plans use the latest technology to offer high-speed satellite Internet service, which continues to improve as new technology is introduced. Our mission to provide the best possible internet to rural communities began with our first internet satellite in 1996, and we’ve led the field ever since.