An artificial satellite is an artificial object that has been intentionally placed into orbit for some useful purpose. More technically, such objects are called artificial satellites so that these can be distinguished from natural satellites such as the moon. Here we will discuss about the launch and functioning procedure of artificial satellites. We will also know what are the uses of artificial satellites.
How are Artificial Satellites launched?
Satellites are propelled to their orbits by rockets. Usually, the launch vehicle itself is a rocket which lifts off from a launch pad. These launch pads are generally based on land. However, in some cases, artificial satellites are launched at sea which are usually from a submarine. Some launches can be from aboard a plane as well.
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Which country launched the First Artificial Satellite?
The world’s first artificial satellite, the Sputnik 1, was launched by the Soviet Union in 1957. After that, thousands of satellites have been launched into orbit around our planet Earth, moon or into deep space. Some satellites, most notably space stations, have been launched in parts and then those parts are assembled in orbit.
Artificial satellites are created from more than 40 countries. However, those satellites are launched into space by only 10 countries having satellite launching capabilities.
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How many Artificial Satellites are in space right now?
A few hundred satellites are currently operational in space. Most of the thousands of unused satellites or satellite fragments orbit around Earth which is known as space debris. Also, a few space probes have been placed into orbit around other bodies for research purpose. These become artificial satellites to the moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and the Sun.
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What are the Uses of Artificial Satellites?
Satellites are currently used for huge number of purposes. Uses of artificial satellites are found in various fields. Most common types include military and civilian Earth observation satellites, navigation satellites, weather satellites, communications satellites and research satellites.
Space stations and human spacecraft in orbit also classified under the category of satellites. Their orbits differ greatly and depending on the purpose of the satellites orbit is chosen. Orbits are classified in various ways. Well- known types include low Earth orbit, polar orbit and geostationary orbit. Sometimes, this orbits also overlap.
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Communication Satellites
A communication satellite is often abbreviated to “comsat”. It is an artificial satellite that is sent into space for the purpose of telecommunications. Communication satellites provide a microwave radio relay technology that works as a supplement of communication cables. They are used for various mobile applications such as communication to ships, vehicles and airplanes. Communication satellites are also used for TV and radio broadcasting.
What is Satellite Telephone and how it works?
Long distance telephony is obviously the first and historically most important application for communication satellites. The fixed Public Switched Telephone Network relays telephone calls to an Earth Station from landline telephones.
After that, they are then transmitted to a geostationary satellite. Satellite communication provide connections to every corner of the world like to the edges of Antarctica and Greenland, to the rigs at sea and to the airplanes also. They also serve as a backup for hospitals and the military.
What is Satellite Television?
Television demands for simultaneous delivery of comparatively few signals of large bandwidth to many receivers. This made it a very precise match for the capabilities of geosynchronous communication satellites. Two different satellite types are used for North American television and radio.
They are named as Direct broadcast satellite (DBS) and Fixed Service Satellite (FSS). On 29th October, 2001, the first digital cinema was transmitted by a satellite in Europe. It was a feature film by Bernard Pauchon and Phillipe Binant.
How Satellite Radio Works?
A satellite radio, which is also named as subscription radio (SR) is a digital radio signal that is broadcast by a communications satellite. It covers a much broader geographical range than terrestrial radio signals. Radio services are usually controlled by commercial ventures and are subscription-based.
Various amateur radio operators also have access to the amateur radio satellites. These have been specifically designed to carry amateur radio traffic.
What is Satellite Internet and how does it work?
After the 1990s, satellite communication technology has been utilised to connect to the internet via broadband data connections. This is very useful for those users located in remote areas who cannot access a cable based broadband connection, or for those users who require high availability of services. This is why satellite internet is very popular today.
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