UK satellite operator Inmarsat is the latest to join the low-earth orbit (LEO) race with companies like SpaceX. The firm will combine geosynchronous (GEO) satellites with LEOs and terrestrial 5G to form a mesh architecture that will support broadband connectivity. Inmarsat owns and operates 14 GEO satellites, which circle the globe about 35,786km above earth, mainy in the L-band (1–2 GHz) and Ka-band (26.5–40 GHz). It now plans to add 150–175 LEO satellites to increase capacity and expand into supporting terrestrial 5G services. The new hybrid network will be called Orchestra. “An orchestra brings different instruments together, each supporting the other and playing its role in the masterpiece. We’re building Orchestra on the same concept,” said Rajeev Suri, CEO of Inmarsat…