Satellite Internet: How It Works

When the Internet was first launched, it was only available on a few computers at a few research institutions. Over the last fifty years, Internet access expanded to cover more institutions and more computers, and eventually, it was available in our homes and even in our pockets. Recently, the final step in creating a fully ubiquitous internet was taken, enabling access from any point on the Earth's surface. Learn more about satellite internet and how it works on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. Get in the game with the college branded Venmo debit card. Rack your team with every tap and earn up to 5% cash back with Venmo Stash, a new rewards program from Venmo. No monthly fee, no minimum balance, just school pride and spending power. Get in the game and sign up for the Venmo debit card at venmo.com/collegecard. The Venmo Mastercard is issued by the Bancorp Bank NA. Select schools available. Venmo stash terms and exclusions apply at venmo.me/stashterms. Max, $100 cash back per month. Spring starts at the Home Depot, and we are bringing the heat to your backyard this season. Fire up the flavor with our wide variety of grills for under $300, like the Next Grill four burner gas grill that's perfect for hosting your spring cookout. Then set the scene and turn your outdoor space into the go to spot with patio sets for every budget. Bring it this season with grills that deliver flavor and patios that set the vibe from The Home Depot. Start your spring with low prices guaranteed at The Home Depot. Exclusions supplies at homedepot.com/price match for details. In previous episodes, I discussed how satellites work and the evolution of the communication satellite. In this episode, I want to zoom in specifically on satellite based Internet, which is very different from the communication satellites that came before it. Just to recap, the idea of a communication satellite was developed in the nineteen forties by science fiction author Arthur c Clark. He realized that if you put a satellite in an orbit high enough, it could reach a point where its orbital period matched the rotation of the earth one day. From this point, you could aim a satellite dish at a spot in the sky and receive signals beamed down to the surface, where anybody within the radio signal's footprint could receive the transmission. Soon after Sputnik was launched, communication satellites were being put into orbit. These satellites worked fine for broadcasting media, such as television and radio, and even for limited two way communication. Satellite television became common starting in the nineteen eighties, and it worked because many people received the same satellite signal. A small number of signals could be sent to the satellite, and millions of people could then receive them on the way down. When the Internet exploded in popularity in the nineteen nineties, using satellites for Internet access was kind of obvious, but there were many problems with this idea. Geosynchronous …