Commercial Viability Assessment of LEO Mega- Constellations: A Latency and Coverage Simulation of the Starlink Network

Abstract This study presents a comprehensive simulation and performance evaluation of SpaceX’s Starlink low Earth orbit (LEO) mega-constellation with a particular emphasis on latency behavior and global service availability for commercial communication applications. Using publicly accessible Two-Line Element (TLE) datasets, the work employs an integrated modeling framework—developed in MATLAB, Python, and Systems Tool Kit (STK)to replicate the dynamic orbital motion, inter-satellite connectivity, and evolving network geometry of thousands of LEO satellites. Simulation outcomes show that Starlink’s low-altitude orbital design consistently achieves propagation delays in the range of 25–45 milliseconds, aligning closely with terrestrial broadband performance and ensuring reliable connectivity across mid- and high-latitude regions. The results further indicate that latency variability is strongly influenced by orbital altitude, handover frequency, and the effectiveness of optical inter-satellite links. Coverage analysis highlights the critical role of constellation density and routing efficiency in maintaining continuous access, particularly in commercially challenging environments such as remote, rural, maritime, and polar regions. Overall, the findings reinforce the commercial readiness of LEO satellite constellations as a transformative solution for delivering high-speed, low-latency Internet on a global scale. The study also underscores the need for sustained optimization in satellite deployment strategies and network management to support future commercial growth, scalability, and service reliability.