What to satellites use as a power source.?

Answer 1

There are two common power sources for satellites. Most use solar panels and have batteries to store the power when the solar panels are shaded. A few satellites (mostly Russian) use small nuclear generators. There have probably been a few satellites that used fuel cells for power, converting oxygen and hydrogen into water in the process.

The US has used nuclear generators for deep space probes but does not put them in Earth orbit. After all, what goes up, must come down.

Answer 2

Some satellites are solar, always pointing toward the sun and above the change of night to day. Some are nuclear.

Answer 3

Sunlight - solar power
Batteries store it

In deep space they tend to use nuclear thermo-electric generators, basically a nuclearly heated, radiatively cooled thermocouple.

I dont know how powerful a solar-wind windmill would be. They talk about using solar sails for thrust, so it might be profitable. Its about 4 to 5 microPascals of pressure. It might be usable, but in the contest of 1300 W/m^2 (sunlight) vs. the 5 microNewtons per meter squared (radiation pressure), there is more power for the solar cell than the windmill.

Answer 4

Satellites use solor battery, that is powerd by solor energy, that is powered by the sun. here is a web site that you acn check out for more information.

"As the needs of our planet's ever-increasing population grow to unprecedented highs, the search for a new and more efficient way of powering our industries, businesses, and homes is becoming a very pressing priority. The techniques we use today to generate power are simply detrimental in the long run; burning fossil fuels or splitting atoms generate a lot of power, but also damage the planet with pollution, and alternatives like wind and hydro power can be limited both geographically and seasonally.

As replacement technologies are pondered, one stands out. Instead of manipulating existing elements of Earth, this inventive proposal plans to collect solar energy from space and transmit it back to the surface using solar power satellites (SPS). Directly harnessing the energy of the sun allows mankind to preserve the well-being and resources of Earth while producing enough energy to satisfy the needs of the growing human race hundreds of times over.

First proposed in 1968 by Dr. Peter Glaser of NASA, these satellites would use large solar panels in space to collect the sun's light energy. Once collected, the energy would go through two conversion phases. First, it would be sent through onboard photovoltaic cells to be converted into electrical energy. Afterwards, the electrical energy would be channeled into large microwave generators where, using the principles behind the wireless power transmission of energy (WPT), it would be converted into controllable microwaves and beamed down to earth. On the surface, large antennas would pick up the beam and reconvert the microwaves into electrical power, which could then be plugged into the local power grid to use.

At first, solar power satellites were nothing more than hopeful dreams of scientists, but recent advances have propelled them into the reaches of reality. Satellite technology has developed to the point where telecommunication companies use satellites for everything from cell phones to television transmission. Would their use as "orbiting power lines" be such a stretch? The WPT system has also gone through comparable progress, especially since the development of adequate antenna technology. Though energy conversion efficiencies from electrical energy to microwaves and then back to electricity are currently around 54% , WPT transmissions to a helicopter, a small aircraft, and a satellite from a launched rocket have all been successful, demonstrating that WPT can indeed be used to power or receive power from flying bodies. (Brown, Singh, 187) Computing technology is also advanced enough to control satellites and allow them to change position without interrupting a running microwave beam.

Solar power satellites are attractive ventures for many reasons. Foremost, by using the sun, humans could acquire all the necessary energy without causing pollution, threatening species, or generally damaging the Earth. Second, the sun's power is limitless and perpetual.

By carefully placing the satellites on certain points over the equator, they would be exposed to sunlight 24 hours a day, ensuring a constant reception and flow of energy. The power output would then only depend on how many satellites were in space; a whole network could potentially generate exponential amounts of usable energy! A third reason solar power is attractive is because the constant energy flow and bulky, expensive storage facilities would no longer be needed, minimizing costs and increasing availability. Fourth, since there are no weather or atmospheric disturbances in space, the solar panels would be exposed to more sunlight and have a greater efficiency than panels placed anywhere on the Earth's surface (Singh, 188).

Microwave beams have been tested extensively and are deemed safe by organizations such as the U.S. National Research Council of the Academy of Sciences (Preble). Unlike x-rays or ultra-violet radiation, microwaves are non ionizing and are one million times too weak to cause harm (SUNSAT Energy).

The only perceivable effect is heating, but since the power density of the beam near the receivers on Earth is about 20 milliwatts per square centimeter, one-fourth of natural sunlight, the heat generated is so slight that a person walking through would feel nothing. Manufacturing costs are not a problem either, since materials would be negligible (when compared with the relatively giant profits that a solar power satellite would generate).

So why hasn't a solar power satellite been built? Well, there is no scientific reason. Photovoltaic cells, satellite technology and microwave beams have all been explored and researched sufficiently to operate solar power satellites. With all the components available, it just seems a matter of time. Do not forget that it was only a short time ago that there were no satellites at all.

Without a doubt, solar power satellites hold significant promise to be critical components for the upcoming centuries. Their benefits are extraordinary - the preservation of our planet, a limitless power source, a constant flow of energy, no serious safety threats, and a practical business side. As SPS technology could supply our planet with trillions of watts at one time, it could easily provide for the ever-growing population of Earth.

Mark's extensive bibliography can be found at: http://TeenInk.com/Past/2001/November/Environment/SolarPower "

Answer 5

Batteries, solar cells, stored compressed gas, to be used as "jet engines", for small adjustments.

Answer 6

Batteries

Answer 7

solar panel will absorber solar light ant it is stored in a battery,then it is supply-ed to the small transformers(step up and step down)

Answer 8

electricity i mean the new made satellite uses electircity

Answer 9

i don't know maybe the sun LOL