By Iruni Kalupahana, JadeTimes News
What is a Satellite?
Anything that orbits something else is considered a satellite in the case of Earth, it orbits the sun. In communications, a satellite is a special wireless receiver or transmitter placed in orbit around Earth by a rocket. The concept of communicating via satellites was the brainchild of Arthur C. Clarke, a British scientist and writer, who proposed this idea in 1945. Clarke envisioned geostationary satellites that could provide global communication coverage. Shortly after the launch of Sputnik I the world's first artificial satellite by the Soviet Union in 1957, satellite technology rapidly advanced to make several functions possible. For example, weather forecasts, television and radio broadcasting, and internet communications.
How Do Satellites Work?
Satellites normally reach orbit by launching from rockets. They might be positioned at varying distances from Earth, going at different speeds. The gravitational pull of Earth keeps them in orbit. Satellites commonly have an antenna for data transmission and reception, a power source, such as solar panels, and other equipment depending on their intended function, including cameras, telescopes, and sensors. Communication satellites receive signals from Earth, amplify, and retransmit them to ground stations. Due to the distance a signal has to travel, there is, in fact, some delays in the transmission. However, most of these delays have been greatly reduced with the advancement of technology.
Importance of Satellites
For instance, without satellites, surveillance and researching in human services concerning changes in, let's say, weather, climate, and environment would not be able to be made as easy and rapid as now. Space based systems, such as the Hubble Space Telescope, make images and observations of celestial phenomena more distinct and, thus, facilitate space exploration. Satellites in communications fields enlarge the scope of ground based networks, thereby reaching over or even bypassing barriers such as mountains and buildings. They are crucial for global navigation systems, military applications, and broadcasting services, without which contemporary societies are simply unimaginable.
Types of Satellite Orbits
Satellites are launched in a variety of orbits that define their functions and capabilities. The major categories of orbits include geostationary orbit, low Earth orbit, and polar orbit. GEO satellites occupy fixed positions relative to any single Earth point and are highly suitable for continuous communication. On the contrary, LEO satellites are closer to Earth and, thus, more suitable for data communication and real time applications. Polar orbits make satellites have full coverage of Earth's surface and are, therefore, suitable for purposes such as observation of the Earth and relating environmental monitoring.
Future of Satellite Technology
From experimental beginnings, satellite technology has grown to become a very sophisticated and essential component of global infrastructure. Small, standardized satellites now support faster development of space based infrastructure, coupled with the possibility of reusable launch. Future satellites would be much more capable of onboard processing, higher bandwidth, and longer lives. Mega constellations and revolutionary propulsion systems are foreseen to advance global communication beyond current capabilities and make satellite services appealing well into the 21st century.
