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Satellites

What is a Satellite?

A satellite can be defined as any, object, either manmade or naturally occurring that orbits
around something else. E.g. Earth is a satellite of the sun.

The gravitational force between the sun and the earth holds the earth in its orbit.

Two Types of Satellite Orbits

1. Synchronous Orbits: This type of satellite is always positioned over the same spot on Earth.
E.g. Geostationary or Geosynchronous.

Geosynchronous Earth Orbits (GEO) is where the satellite sits directly over the equator. It rotates in
the same direct and at the same speed as our planet, so always appears to be in the sameplace in the
sky.

To maintain an orbit that is 22,233 miles (35,786 km) above Earth, the satellite must orbit at a speed
of about 7000 mph (11,300 kph). That orbital speed and distance permits the satellite to make one
revolution in 24 hours. Since Earth also rotates once in 24 hours, a satellite at 22,223 miles altitude
stays in a fixed position relative to a point on Earth's surface. Because the satellite stays right over the
same spot all the time, this kind of orbit is called "geostationary." Geostationary orbits are ideal for
weather satellites and communications satellites.

2. Asynchronous Orbit: This type of satellite passes over head at different times of the
day. E.g. Low Earth Orbit (200 km) & Medium Earth Orbit (2000 km).

To date (and for the foreseeable future) satellite communications is the biggest and virtually only
money-making business in space.

What is the “slot” designated for the Galaxy 11 satellite? 91 degrees west.

Five Types & Uses of Satellites

1. Research
2. Communications
3. Weather (Meteorological)
4. Navigational
5. Application

1. Research Satellites

Designed to study radiation from the sun, light, and radio emissions from the earth’s atmosphere.
E.g. Hubble Space Telescope. (HST).

What is the next generation telescope going to be called and when is it expected to be launched?

James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). 2013.

OVER
2. Communication Satellites

Provide a worldwide linkup of voice, radio, telephone, data, and television including the direct
broadcast satellite (DBS).

How much of the earth’s surface can a GEO satellite see? Approximately a 3rd of the earth’s surface.

The footprint of a communications satellite is the ground area that is able to receive a particular
satellite's signal.

What are two Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) providers in the US and in Canada?

US Canada
Dish Network Star Choice
DirecTV Bell ExpressVu

3. Weather (Meteorological Satellites)

Provide continuous, up-to-date information about large-scale atmospheric conditions such as cloud
cover and temperature profiles.

Two Types of Weather Satellites

1. Geostationary Satellites
2. Polar Orbiting Satellites

4. Navigational Satellites

The most famous is the Global Positioning System (GPS) which actually is a constellation of 24
medium earth orbiting (MEO) satellites (4 satellites in each of 6 orbits). The orbits are arranged so
that at any time, anywhere on earth, there are at least four satellites “visible” in the sky.

These satellites transmit precise microwave signals travelling at the speed of light (about 186,000
miles per hour, 300,000 km per second) which enables the receiver to determine its location, speed,
direction, and time.

Once the receiver makes its calculation, it can tell you the latitude, longitude, and altitude of its
current position with great accuracy.

5. Application Satellites

Used for military purposes, search & rescue, photography, and reconnaissance (spy) satellites. They
are designed to test ways of improving satellite technology.

For satellites and the future the sky is the limit.

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