Using ground relays for low-latency wide-area routing in megaconstellations

Large low earth orbit satellite constellations have the potential to provide global high-capacity low-latency Internet access, but early deployments lack dedicated inter-satellite links (ISLs). We investigate the use of ground-based relays as a substitute for ISLs to provide low-latency wide area networking. We examine how to route such huge networks, potentially using user-terminals as relays, and devise an enhanced routing algorithm to cope. We show that even without ISLs, such networks can still beat optical fiber networks for latency.