Artificial satellite

Artificial Satellite

An artificial satellite is an object that people have made and launched into orbit using rockets. There are currently over a thousand active satellites orbiting the Earth. The size, altitude and design of a satellite depend on its purpose.

History

The first artificial satellite was Sputnik 1, launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957. This marked the start of the space age and the space race between the Soviet Union and the United States.

Types of Satellites

There are several different types of artificial satellites, including communication satellites, weather satellites, navigation satellites, reconnaissance satellites, and research satellites. Each type of satellite has a specific purpose and is designed to fulfill that purpose.

Communication Satellites

Communication satellites are used for telecommunication. They send and receive signals from Earth, allowing for global broadcasting, telephony, and internet service.

Weather Satellites

Weather satellites are used to monitor the Earth's weather and climate. They provide data for weather forecasting, climate research, and natural disaster monitoring.

Navigation Satellites

Navigation satellites are used for global navigation systems such as GPS. They provide accurate timing and location information.

Reconnaissance Satellites

Reconnaissance satellites are used for military and intelligence purposes. They provide high-resolution imagery of the Earth's surface.

Research Satellites

Research satellites are used for scientific research. They carry instruments that measure the Earth's atmosphere, weather, climate, and other features.

Orbit Types

Artificial satellites can be placed in several different types of orbit, including low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), geostationary orbit (GEO), and highly elliptical orbit (HEO).

See Also

• Spacecraft
• Space exploration
• Space race
• Space age