Even as the world watches a renewed race to the Moon, a quieter but more consequential competition is unfolding closer to Earth. Nations and private companies are rushing to secure radio frequencies and orbital slots — finite resources essential for satellite communications. At the centre of this contest are satellite “megaconstellations”, vast fleets of satellites that promise global internet coverage but also strain existing systems of space governance.
Why Spectrum and Orbits Matter
Satellite communication depends on radio frequencies, collectively known as spectrum, which allow satellites and ground stations to transmit data. These frequencies are as vital to space operations as oxygen is to life on Earth. The most in-demand bands are the Ku-band and Ka-band, used for high-speed satellite internet, and the L-band, crucial for navigation systems like GPS. However, access to spectrum alone is not enough. Satellites must also occupy specific orbital positions so their signals reliably reach Earth-based receivers. Both spectrum and orbital slots are limited, making coordination unavoidable.
The Rise of Megaconstellations
This scramble has triggered an unprecedented surge in satellite launches. SpaceX’s Starlink already operates more than 8,000 satellites, with plans to scale up dramatically. OneWeb, Amazon’s Project Kuiper, and China’s GuoWang constellation are following similar paths. Driven by falling launch costs and demand for high-speed connectivity in remote regions, the satellite megaconstellation market is projected to grow rapidly over the coming decade. For many countries, these constellations are no longer just commercial ventures but instruments of strategic autonomy in space-based communications.
How the ITU Governs Space Resources
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a UN specialised agency with 194 member states, acts as the global coordinator for satellite spectrum and orbital slots. It treats them as “limited natural resources” that must be used efficiently and equitably. Under its first-come, first-served system, operators must file frequency applications and coordinate with affected countries. This system favours well-capitalised players with legal and technical expertise, often disadvantaging late entrants from developing nations.
Strain on an Outdated Framework
The ITU’s regulatory architecture was designed in an era when satellites were counted in hundreds, not tens of thousands. Today, it struggles to manage the scale and speed of megaconstellation deployments. Recognising this, the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 introduced reforms, including stricter deployment timelines and requirements to match declared orbital plans with actual launches. Still, the ITU itself acknowledges that spectrum and orbital management will dominate its agenda through the rest of the decade.
Megaconstellations and the Digital Divide
Despite governance challenges, megaconstellations address a real problem: global digital inequality. At the start of 2025, around 2.6 billion people remained offline, largely in South Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Low-Earth orbit satellites offer lower latency and higher bandwidth than traditional geostationary satellites, making applications like telemedicine and online education feasible in remote areas. However, high user terminal costs and subscription fees raise concerns that satellite internet could remain a premium service unless supported by subsidies or universal service obligations.
India’s Strategic Dilemma
India illustrates the dual challenge facing emerging space nations. On one hand, it seeks assured access to spectrum and orbits through the ITU. On the other, it must ensure affordability and inclusion. ISRO’s GSAT-N2 satellite supports connectivity in remote regions, while India’s stake in OneWeb places it within the global low-Earth orbit ecosystem. Domestically, regulators have favoured administrative allocation of satellite spectrum over auctions, recognising that shared use can reduce costs and accelerate rollout.
Orbital Congestion and Space Debris
The rapid increase in satellite numbers raises serious sustainability concerns. By 2030, more than 50,000 satellites could be in orbit, alongside tens of thousands of tracked debris objects. The ITU’s 2023 resolution on sustainable use of spectrum and orbits calls for deorbiting satellites within 25 years of mission completion. Yet compliance remains uneven, allowing debris to accumulate faster than it is removed and increasing collision risks.
Why Governance Will Decide the Outcome
The success of megaconstellations ultimately depends on whether global rules can balance innovation with equity and sustainability. Without stronger coordination and binding standards, competition for spectrum and orbits could turn destabilising, rendering parts of near-Earth space unusable. For countries like India, participating actively in shaping these rules is crucial. Decisions made now will determine whether outer space remains a shared global commons or evolves into a domain dominated by a few early movers.
What to Note for Prelims?
- Role of ITU in spectrum and orbital slot allocation.
- Ku-band, Ka-band, and L-band uses.
- Difference between LEO and geostationary satellites.
- Key satellite megaconstellations: Starlink, OneWeb, Project Kuiper.
- Issue of space debris and deorbiting norms.
What to Note for Mains?
- Challenges of governing spectrum and orbital resources in the megaconstellation era.
- Link between satellite internet and the digital divide.
- Equity concerns in first-come, first-served spectrum allocation.
- India’s strategic interests in space governance.
- Need for sustainable and inclusive outer space regulation.
