Re: Satellite latency

["Steven M. Bellovin" <smb () research att com>]

In message <014d01c1bf3b$44bfca00$ea9a8d18@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