What is one advantage of a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite system?

A Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite system is advantageous because it operates at altitudes ranging typically between 180 to 2,000 kilometers above the Earth. This proximity to the Earth's surface allows for significantly lower propagation delays compared to satellites in higher orbits, such as geostationary satellites.

This proximity also requires less power for communication. The reduced distance means that signals used for communication can be transmitted with lower power levels, which not only conserves energy but also reduces costs associated with power consumption. As a result, devices on the ground can use less power to establish and maintain a connection with LEO satellites, making these systems particularly attractive for applications requiring energy efficiency, such as IoT devices and remote sensors.

The other options do not align with the unique characteristics of LEO satellites in the same way. For example, LEO satellites generally have shorter lifespans compared to their geostationary counterparts due to atmospheric drag and other factors. Additionally, while LEO satellites can cover smaller areas on the Earth's surface at a time, they do not provide the extensive coverage that geostationary satellites do without deploying a larger constellation. Lastly, higher power usage would negate one of the primary attractive features of LEO satellite systems.