Look up at the night sky and you could notice a tiny dot subjected to motion, without any noise across the stars. It's not a plane. It's not a star. It is one of the thousands of satellites which are currently in orbit around the earth.
The use of satellites has become such a norm that we hardly ever give it a second thought. At least they are the silent drivers of modern life. Satellite navigation, GPS positioning, weather prediction, live streaming, and disaster detection are but a few of the activities that satellites are busy taking care of all the time.
But what is it that a satellite does? And why are they so important?
Let us put it in simple terms.
In 1957, the first man-made satellite Sputnik 1 was launched
First, What Is a Satellite?
Satellites refer to any object revolving around a planet or a star. The Moon is the natural satellite of the Earth. However, people are most likely referring to man-made satellites, which are machines that humans build and put into the space.
These are artificial satellites that travel around the earth. They are installed on well-selected altitudes based on their mission.
Consider a satellite as a space toolbox. Some of the tools found in that toolbox may include cameras, sensors, antennas, computers, and scientific tools, among others, which are specific to a task.
The Main Jobs Satellites Do
Satellites do not necessarily do everything. There are various functions of satellites. Here are the major ones.
1) Communication: Connecting the World
Communication is one of the main functions of satellites.
Satellites help transmit:
- TV broadcasts
- Phone calls
- Internet signals
- Radio communication
- Live international events
A satellite is frequently streaming a live cricket match in one country, being played in another country.
It is particularly the satellite internet that is significant in the inaccessible areas that the cables and towers fail to access. Sea ships, airplanes, as well as villages on mountains, are usually dependent on satellite connections.
2) Navigation: Showing You the Way
Whenever you open Google Maps or a taxi application, you are dealing with satellite navigation.
The navigation satellites transmit timing signals to the Earth. Signals sent by numerous satellites reach your phone and calculate your precise location.
This is the type of system that runs GPS and other types of navigation systems in the world.
In the absence of navigation satellites:
- Aircrafts might not fly as specifically
- The ships would be more dependent on manual means
- Map applications would be significantly inaccurate
Modern navigation is fast and reliable with the use of satellites.
A satellite is capable of covering 28000km/h
3) Weather Forecasting
The atmosphere of earth is constantly monitored by weather satellites.
They track:
- Cloud movements
- Storm systems
- Cyclones and hurricanes
- Rainfall patterns
- Temperature changes
The satellites serve to forecast the weather and give warnings prior to natural calamities by the meteorologists.
When your phone notifies you that there is a cyclone warning or a heavy rain coming, satellite information would have been used to make that forecast.
They do not only assist in day-to-day predictions, they save lives since they enhance preparedness to disasters.
4) Earth Observation: Surveillance of Our Planet
There are satellites which resemble space cameras. They capture detailed photos of the surface of the earth.
These are used for:
- Climate monitoring
- Tracking deforestation
- Research on the polar ice and glaciers
- The surveillance of crops and agriculture
- Urban planning
- Disaster response
Indicatively, the satellite images are used to make authorities comprehend damage after the floods or earthquakes and how to carry out the rescue missions.
The satellite information also serves the farmers through information about soil moisture and crop health.
Satellites are to a great extent the eyes of the earth.
5) Science and Exploration
Not every satellite gazes at the earth. Some look outward into space.
Scientific satellites research:
- The Sun
- Other planets
- Distant stars and galaxies
- Space radiation
- Cosmic events and black holes
Space telescopes that orbit the earth do not experience atmospheric distortion. Therefore, they have an easier time making clearer observations compared to the ground telescopes.
These satellites assist scientists to comprehend the universe and our position on the universe.
But How Do Satellites Remain in Space?
Some satellites are as tiny as a shoebox (referred to as CubeSats)
One question is: why satellites do not fall back to the earth?
The answer is balance.
Satellites travel at a very fast rate as the earth pulls them back due to gravity. At the point of perfect balance these forces cause the satellite to remain in orbit.
It is like playing a ball and a cord, the swing of the cord is what prevents the fall.
Various satellites have different heights:
- Low Earth Orbit (LEO): It is close to Earth and is used in imaging as well as in communication.
- Medium Earth Orbit (MEO): This is commonly used in navigation.
- Geostationary Orbit (GEO): This is high in altitude. The satellites rotate with the earth and seem to be stationary at a particular point.
Each orbit serves a purpose.
Why satellites are important today like never before
Satellites are more of a necessity in the modern society than the majority of people understand.
They support:
- Banking systems
- International systems of communication
- Aviation and maritime transport
- Environmental protection
- Scientific research
- Emergency response
The daily life would be severely impacted in case of sudden collapse of satellites. The increasing number of satellites are also an indication of the relevance of space to technology and business.
The Future of Satellites
The new generation of satellites is in the form of:
- Smaller
- Smarter
- Cheaper to build
- Faster to launch
Massive satellite formations are meant to offer internet coverage to the whole world. Higher-order sensors will enhance monitoring of climatic conditions. Artificial intelligence satellites can go to the extent of making decisions themselves in space.
Meanwhile, space agencies and the companies are in the process of developing solutions to control space traffic and minimize debris.
Satellites are not only technologies of the present, but they are defining the future.
The Big Picture
A satellite can be in the form of a small metallic object floating outer space, yet its influence on the earth is immense. They assist in communication, transportation, weather forecasting, climatic study, space exploration and reactions to disasters. To some degree, satellites are silent assistants who are circling over our heads to make our modern life easier and safer.
The next time your GPS systems are flawless or the weather forecast is accurate, you have to recall, there is a satellite somewhere doing its thing.
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