Satellite latency

Wed Feb 27 02:07:14 UTC 2002

In message <014d01c1bf3b$44bfca00$ea9a8d18 at evilinc>, "Tim Devries" writes:
>
>Hello,
>
>I think this question may have been asked before, but what is the minimum
>latency and delay I can expect from a satellite connection?  What kind of
>delay have others seen in a working situation?  What factors should be
>considered in end to end connectivity architecture when utilizing a
>satellite link?
>
>Any help appreciated,

Geosynchronous orbit is about 36,000 km from the center of the earth.  
Round-trip to the satellite is ~72,000 km; the speed of light is 
300,000 km/sec.  That works out to 240 milliseconds at the minimum for 
one-way packet delivery.

		--Steve Bellovin, http://www.research.att.com/~smb
		Full text of "Firewalls" book now at http://www.wilyhacker.com