Energy consumption ratio analysis of LEO constellation systems providing direct mobile connectivity based on embodied energy analysis method

As the new generation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication systems begins to provide high-speed broadband access services to areas without terrestrial cellular coverage, scholars both domestically and internationally are reassessing the relationship between satellite and ground communications in regions prone to warfare and sparsely populated areas. Especially after the launch of Starlink's “Direct to Cell” service, many believe that new-generation LEO satellite communication systems may not just be a supplement to terrestrial networks in the future. Presently, the discourse surrounding satellite-terrestrial network technology predominantly centers on economic costs and user acceptance, with a noticeable gap in research that addresses green communication and sustainable development. This paper, therefore, aims to fill this void by modeling the energy consumption of LEO satellite communication systems, exemplified by Starlink, and juxtaposing it with that of terrestrial networks. Our findings indicate that the energy consumption of satellite communication systems, such as Starlink, is a staggering 32.9 times higher than that of ground base station clusters in remote regions and an astonishing 715 times greater in densely populated urban areas. Although satellite communication systems hold the promise of global coverage, their standalone construction without integration with terrestrial networks could lead to significant energy waste.