zlacker

Space doesn't really change it though because the effective bandwidth between nodes is reduced by the overall size of the network and how much data they need to relay between each other.

>>cmsj+(OP)
Yup. We don't use fibre optics on earth rather than lasers because of some specific limitation of the earth's surface being in orbit would avoid.

We use them because they're many orders of magnitude cheaper and simpler for anywhere near the same bandwidth for the distances required.

>>kimixa+2b
> We don't use fibre optics on earth rather than lasers because of some specific limitation of the earth's surface being in orbit would avoid.

That's incorrect. Lasers can suffer from atmospheric interference and fogging on earth.

Here is a post from NASA explaining why they like laser communications better than RF in space.[1]

[1] https://solc.gsfc.nasa.gov/modules/kidszone7/mainMenu_textOn...