When the Egyptian government blocked Internet access and mobile texting capabilities in an attempts to thwart protesters' ability to organize, Kosta Grammatis had new ammunition to pitch his big idea: what if there was a satellite service for Internet and phone — affordable for the average Egyptian — that could not be shut off? Grammatis knows a satellite that might be up for sale, and he and a few others want to raise money to buy it. They formed a non-profit called Buy This Satellite in the hopes of acquiring a dormant communications satellite from a company currently in bankruptcy. Grammatis wants to move the satellite from its current orbit above Earth and park it over Africa, offering online access to some of the world's poorest citizens.
Gizmodo and Boingboing hailed the efforts as noble, if more than a little pie in the sky. Still, the role played by social media in the Tunisian and Egyptian uprisings has helped the idea gain a sense of urgency. TIME spoke with Grammatis on the night the Egyptian authorities cut off all Internet access in the country.
What exactly is the goal of Buy this Satellite?
The "Buy This Satellite" campaign was launched by
ahumanright.org — an organization charged with protecting freedom of digital expression and
bridging the digital divide for the 5 billion people who don't yet have
Internet access. When the owner of the largest telecommunications satellite
declared bankruptcy, we saw it as an opportunity. We could buy it, move it
over someplace in need like Africa, and connect millions of people across
— Including those in Egypt. Access to information is as vital a resource
as water. With information, people can solve their own problems rather than
waiting for international aid. And we're seeing now, in Egypt, that Internet
access is vital for maintaining freedom of speech where there is little or
none of it.
Where are you going to get a satellite from?
Our original intention was to launch our own network of communications
satellites to provide access for all, but the costs are exceptional — in
the range of billions of dollars. After some looking around we realized
that there are plenty of underused telecom satellites already in orbit.
We're big fans of recycling, so we thought, why not purchase existing
satallite infrastructure and put it to a humanitarian use? We had our sites
set on one satellite in particular, called Terrestar-1. It's one of the most
advanced telecommunications platforms in space right now. The company that
owns it — well it's owned by numerous share holders — is currently
going through bankruptcy. We're fundraising to buy it from them.
How exactly do you plan on moving that satellite to a new
location?
We've been working with NASA and aerospace engineers to study this and it's
pretty simple: Basically, Terrestar is in geosynchronous orbit, meaning it
revolves around the earth at the exact speed the earth spins so it it's
always over the same place on the ground. You can reposition these kinds of
satellite by, essentially, slowing it down a bit, letting the earth move
underneath it and then speeding it up again so it's in a new geosynchronous
orbit. We would move the satellite over North Africa.
Can your system be blocked or shut down?
In Egypt we've watched as the government, in an unprecedented way, shutoff
Internet access for the entire country. We're building a system that can't
be shutoff--it's as decentralized as possible. You could jam the signal
somewhat, but to do that at the scale of a country is a very very difficult
task. The system we envision has two components: One in space and one on
the ground. We're building a very decentralized and distributed peer-to-peer
mesh network. Because there is no central point you can't turn off
connectivity like they did in Egypt. That mesh network will allow people to
communicate with each other locally, and if it's needed they can switch to
the satellite to connect to the outside world. We think there's a need now
to put an end to the Internet kill-switch.
How much will it cost to buy the satellite?
We estimate, including lawyers and all the financial bureaucracy involved,
that it would take around $245 million to complete the project.
How much have you raised?
$33,000. (laughs). Obviously, we face a significant funding challenge. I
don't think it's completely unrealistic, though. Since we launched our
website we've attracted a lot of support from scientists, engineers, and
business people from all over the world. What makes us hopeful is the
support from people like Noah Semara, the founder of Sirus/XM radio who
knows a thing or two about satellites and telecommunications. He along with
some others like him are advising us in invaluable ways....not only in pure
technical expertise but they're helping us navigate the legal and financial
complexities in dealing with industry and government.
TIME spoke with the CTO of TerreStar who says the company is growing
and that they have no plans to sell their satellite. How realistic is your
plan to buy Terrestar-1?
The company is restructuring, they're not liquidating their assets. So it's
not certain this particular satellite will work out. It's not completely out
of the question, though. It's one of a few possible satellites available.
What other satellites are available?
Well, we've been talking to some other companies and industry leaders who
have given us some leads but I can't disclose specifics yet.
Is your goal realistic at all?
Big ideas, that can improve our society as a whole, are worth doing, and
this one will be done. It's the logical next step in communications: a
network available to anyone everywhere for minimal cost. The idea is
gaining momentum. But right now we're lacking the big financial commitments
required to do the job, but we have tentative offers out there for
significant support .The process takes time. I have good reason to be
optimistic, though. Telecommunications have never been more vital — and
the world is realizing that With what's going on in the Arab world it's
painfully obvious: Internet access benefits everyone.