08-02-2016, 04:30 PM
Like all communications systems, satellite networks have some clear advantages and some disadvantages, and it is generally a case of optimising the pros and cons to meet the requirements of a particular communications solution.Some of the main disadvantages of satellite communications (I'm assuming you mean geostationary satellites)
are:
* Signal delay: Because the satellite is 36,000km from the earth there is an appreciable delay (around 0.25s in one direction, 0.5s for a round trip); this can introduce unacceptable latency into 2-way data networks (e.g. Internet) and make conversation difficult in voice circuits.
* Cost: Satellites are large and expensive, thus there is a large capital cost in building and launching a satellite; this means that you have to be able to get a lot of customers or support many services before launching a satellite, to be sure that the costs will pay back.
* Impossibility to repair and maintain: It's not possible to get a repair person out to the GSO, so if components fail they can't be fixed; satellites are made from "space qualified" components with high reliability but redundant components also have to be flown and switched in if elements do fail; a major failure can result in the loss of the whole satellite.