Humanitarian Satellite Connectivity

The evolution of satellite communications represented a fundamental shift in the dynamics of global connectivity, including in the realm of humanitarian response. The launch of the first satellite by the Soviet Union in 1957 marked the beginning of this transformative journey (Whalen, 2010). However, the deployment of Early Bird, the first commercial communication satellite, in 1965 truly signified the dawn of a new era in satellite communications, creating what has today become a multi-billion-dollar industry. Early Bird’s capability to manage 150 telephone half-circuits and 80 hours of television services highlighted the potential for satellite technology to revolutionize communications (Whalen, 2010).

The initial stages of satellite communications were characterized by large, immovable ground stations, which posed significant limitations due to their high cost and fixed locations. This landscape began to change with the launch of the MARISAT satellite in 1976, specifically aimed at enabling mobile communications for maritime purposes, including the United States Navy (Whalen, 2010). The significance of this development lies in its demonstration of satellite communications’ potential mobility and versatility.

Another pivotal moment in the evolution of satellite communications for humanitarian purposes occurred with the launch of the Iridium Network in 1997. Iridium, comprising 66 low-earth orbit satellites, facilitated voice and text communications in the most remote areas, marking a significant advancement in global connectivity (Bridges Jr & Mason, 2003). Initially envisioned to support the US Department of Defense, the network quickly became indispensable for humanitarian workers, offering a communication lifeline in remote and disaster-stricken regions. Despite the undeniable utility of satellite phones for immediate communication in crises, the prohibitively high costs associated with their use limited their accessibility and use to only the most well-funded organizations, as shown by Lim, Klein, and Thatcher (2005) in their case study of the satellite phone industry. The initial retail price for an Iridium satellite phone was $3295, and the airtime fees were as high as $7 per minute. In addition to the high airtime costs, the data transfer capabilities of the Iridium system are limited to 2400 baud, making it unusable for any traditional internet-related protocol traffic, such as email (Maine, Devieux, & Swan, 1995, p. 485).

The quest for data connectivity in humanitarian response led to the advent of Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) technology. Initially cumbersome and requiring significant logistical support, VSAT technology evolved into a more portable solution, significantly enhancing its utility in disaster response scenarios (Marek, 1993). However, the high costs associated with deploying and operating VSATs remained challenging for many humanitarian organizations, leading to innovative solutions such as bandwidth sharing among organizations through networks like NetHope (Van Gorp et al., 2008).

The historical development of satellite technology and its integration into humanitarian response underscores the critical role of connectivity in humanitarian scenarios. Satellite communication offers a resilient and decentralized network capable of bridging the communication gap in the aftermath of disasters or conflicts, irrespective of terrestrial infrastructure damage (Anderson & Schram, 2011; Smith, Whitehouse, & Blanchet, 2020). While satellite communications have proven effective in maintaining connectivity, challenges related to deployment, maintenance, and socio-cultural considerations in diverse contexts persist (Hostettler, Besson, & Bolay, 2018).

Regulatory and licensing hurdles often complicate the deployment of communication technologies in disaster-affected areas. The International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) establishment of the “Tampere Convention on the Provision of Telecommunications Resources for Disaster Relief and Mitigation” represented a significant effort to address these challenges, facilitating the mobilization of communication resources for disaster mitigation (Hancock, 1999). It recognizes the critical role that telecommunications plays in the response efforts by providing a framework for enabling telecommunication equipment to be imported duty-free and without the need for complex licensing and other regulatory processes during times of crises (Rahrig, 2010).

One of the critical aspects of the importance of satellite connectivity in humanitarian situations is that the communication infrastructure itself is not located on the ground; in fact, it is located above the atmosphere, making it independent of any damages caused on the ground, whether by humans, weather, or natural hazards such as earthquakes (Stramondo, Bignami, Chini, Pierdicca, & Tertulliani, 2006). They have also proven less prone to interference from warring factions in conflict, as was recently seen in Ukraine (Gunter, 2023).

In recent years, new LEO satellite solutions, such as StarLink from SpaceX, have opened up new opportunities for humanitarian response organizations to leverage cost-effective solutions for connecting remote offices and quickly provide connectivity to response teams in crisis-affected areas (Abels, 2024).

Abels, J. (2024). Private infrastructure in geopolitical conflicts: the case of Starlink and the war in Ukraine. European Journal of International Relations, 13540661241260653. doi:10.1177/13540661241260653

Anderson, K. M., & Schram, A. (2011). Design and implementation of a data analytics infrastructure in support of crisis informatics research (NIER track). Paper presented at the Proceedings of the 33rd International Conference on Software Engineering.

Bridges Jr, D. M., & Mason, A. R. (2003). Exploring of Wireless Technology to Provide Information Sharing Among Military, United Nations and Civilian Organizations During Complex Humanitarian Emergencies and Peacekeeping Operations. (Master Master). Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, USA. Retrieved from https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADA414852

Gunter, M. J. (2023). Clandestine Communications for the 21st-century Insurgent. (Master Master). Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, USA. Retrieved from https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/trecms/AD1213289

Hancock, A. E. (1999). VSATs answer the call. Satellite Communications, 23(11), 22-26.

Hostettler, S., Besson, S. N., & Bolay, J.-C. (2018). Technologies for Development: from innovation to social Impact. Paper presented at the 2016 UNESCO Chair Conference on Technologies for Development, Paris, France.

Lim, J., Klein, R., & Thatcher, J. (2005). Good technology, bad management: A case study of the satellite phone industry. Journal of Information Technology Management, 16(2), 48-55.

Maine, K., Devieux, C., & Swan, P. (1995). Overview of IRIDIUM satellite network. Paper presented at the Proceedings of WESCON’95.

Marek, S. (1993). Planning for catastrophe. Satellite Communications, 17(1), 26.

Rahrig, A. (2010). Love Thy Neighbor: The Tampere Convention as Global Legislation. Indiana Journal of Global Legal Studies, 17(2), 273-288. doi:10.2979/gls.2010.17.2.273

Smith, J., Whitehouse, K., & Blanchet, K. (2020). Knowledge production in humanitarian crises: beware of the innovation trap. Lancet Glob Health, 8(4), e481. doi:10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30030-9

Stramondo, S., Bignami, C., Chini, M., Pierdicca, N., & Tertulliani, A. (2006). Satellite radar and optical remote sensing for earthquake damage detection: results from different case studies. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 27(20), 4433-4447. doi:10.1080/01431160600675895

Van Gorp, A., Ngamassi, L., Maitland, C., Saab, D. J., Tapia, A., Maldonado, A., . . . Zhao, K. (2008). VSAT deployment for post-disaster relief and development: opportunities and constraints for inter-organizational coordination among international NGOs. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the 17th Biennial Conference of the International Telecommunications Society in Montreal.

Whalen, D. J. (2010). Communications satellites: making the global village possible. Retrieved from Washington, D.C.: https://www.nasa.gov/history/communications-satellites/