Estimate satellite internet coverage radius from explicit engineering assumptions. The tool shows the primary planning value plus supporting figures so you can see how traffic, margin, geometry, or path components affect the result. Use measured inputs when available and treat the output as a design estimate rather than a service guarantee.
The radius describes a single idealized satellite footprint from geometry. Constellation continuity requires enough overlapping satellites and additional link-budget analysis.
Planning estimate only. Validate assumptions against equipment specifications, measurements, and local operating conditions.
At 550 km altitude with a 25° minimum elevation, the geometric ground arc is 941 km. Applying a 10% planning reduction gives a 846 km radius.
Yes. The result is an arc distance along a spherical Earth, not a straight-line slant range.
Requiring the satellite to appear higher above the horizon removes distant edge locations from the usable footprint.
No. The geometry assumes an unobstructed spherical Earth. The planning reduction can provide a conservative allowance but is not a terrain model.
Not by itself. Provider beams, spectrum authorization, gateways, capacity, antenna limits, and service policy can constrain actual availability.
It is a common mean-radius approximation. Earth is not a perfect sphere, so precision coverage work needs an ellipsoidal model.
| Variable | Effect |
|---|---|
| Altitude | Higher altitude expands the geometric horizon |
| Minimum elevation | Higher angle contracts usable coverage |
| Planning reduction | Conservatively reduces geometric radius |