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bikernaut t1_ity1dh2 wrote

Reply to comment by Adeldor in Roscosmos to launch 9 satellites into Arctic orbit by 2026 by Pure_Candidate_3831

Oh, that's interesting, each satellite would have around 12 hours above the north, though at that distance, communications would be difficult. I guess with 9 satellites, it'd be something less extreme to maximize dwell and provide good comms.

Could you use balloons in the north like Google's Loon project? It's not that big of an area, but has to be hugely cheaper and simpler than satellites?

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Adeldor t1_ity2s00 wrote

A big problem with balloons is the much lower altitude, requiring many more to cover an equivalent area (horizon is much closer).

Also, currently balloon relay technology has thus far proved impractical for long term, high reliability coverage, with longevity and long term station keeping being thorny problems.

Meanwhile, Russia understands well Molniya orbits, having used them for decades. So it wouldn't surprise me if indeed these new satellites are destined for such.

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