New method could decrease number of satellites needed for global coverage

Researchers from Princeton and Yang Ming Chiao Tung University have developed a technique enabling satellite antennas to handle multiple user signals simultaneously. This innovation could reduce the number of satellites required for wide coverage, potentially lowering costs, power consumption, and space debris risks. The method, which can be integrated into existing satellites and may simplify future designs, could decrease the satellites needed to cover the United States from 70-80 to around 16.