If we are reading "global" correctly - rather than equatorial then in my mind the immediate implications are
1. they are going to use another launcher - and going polar orbits
(Probably because virgin aren't ready)
2. the GOMSPACE announcement says possible second batch -> virgin might take a while SAS might try a second batch into polar orbit.
3. you'd think this will just be the first 1 or 2 batches of pearls just thrown in a different orbit. (but might be nice face saving way out for everybody)
The Problems with this are
- coverage - equatorial with 16 sats means any point on the equator likely to have 1 sat in view. Polar means coverage from ground will be periodic. Especially with first launcher they are likely to basically on the one plane?
- This means IOT and tracking uses are about the only useful things you can do. voice needs reliable coverage + bandwidth to ground station. M2M would normally expect always available but some cases might be able to use.
- The diamonds are in polar orbit and we've seen a lack of people willing to purchase bandwidth on them... more sats will give more coverage.
- the MOUs expect equatorial...
- This would have been the original plan if there was more revenue in it...
- You would have to think equatorial will be delayed.
