Analysis
Satellite and Debris by Altitude
The average altitude of a satellite is a key parameter that influences its orbital period, coverage area, and mission capabilities. This graph showcases the distribution of satellites based on their average operational altitudes.
Altitude Bands and Appplications
Distinct bands of average altitudes are visible in the graph, corresponding to popular orbit types. The most populous band, around 500-800 km, represents typical LEO satellites used for Earth observation and new mega-constellations. Higher bands at approximately 20,000 km and 36,000 km indicate MEO navigation satellites and GEO communications satellites, respectively.
Trends in Satellite Deployment
Recent years have seen a shift towards lower average altitudes, driven by the proliferation of small satellites and CubeSats. This trend reflects advancements in miniaturization, reduced launch costs, and the growing demand for rapid-revisit Earth observation and low-latency communications. However, the persistent presence of satellites at higher average altitudes underscores the continued importance of established space-based services.