How do satellites work?

Question

I was just gazing up into the sky and realised that I don't know how satellites actually work! Who takes them up,how do they get released and what do they actually do while the'yre up there? In simple terms please!

Answer 1

Satellites are generally boosted into orbit using rockets (although several have been deployed from the payload bay of the space shuttle). Satellites have any number of functions. Some relay telephone and data traffic from one place on earth to another. Others do the same for TV signals. Others (working together) form the backbone of the Global Positioning Satellite system (GPS). Still others take pictures of the earth for various purposes.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

Satellites work using the same laws as all the planets moons and stars in the universe.

It's a balance between two forces. The first is gravity and the second is the acceleration due to angular momentum of of the body.
The best way to understand is consider a rock tied to a pieces of string swinging round you head. The rock is going round and round (just like a satellite round the earth) and if you cut the string it would fly off, but the string or in the case of the satellite - gravity - stops it flying off. The two forces are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.

As for who put them up, Russian Federation, US, European Space Agency,(France & the UK have made independent launches before the formation of ESA) China, India, Japan, & Brazil are the only launchers at the moment. Some under commecial terms.

What they do. Well lots of thing!

There are a fair number of space telescopes looking at the sun, planets, galaxies etc.

A large number of communication devices - a bit like mobile phone masts.

Some are weather satellites that look at the world's weather system.

The list is long....

Answer 3

Satellites are free falling.
Think in these terms: (discount the air resistance)
If you were to fire a cannon ball at 90 degrees to the earth at such a speed that to moved forward at the same rate that gravity moved it downward, it would circumvent the earth.
It would be constantly falling toward the earth while at the same time moving forward - and thus would stay the same distance from the earth's surface.

Once in orbit, they can be used for relaying signals from earth to other receiving stations - the signal from earth alone is limited to distance by the curvature of the earth. Broadcasts via satellite can cover a very large area from only one transmitter.
They can take pictures - weather satellites, surveillance satellites, mapping information and so on.
They can be used for research. The Hubble telescope is a fine example.

Answer 4

Big uses for satellites are communications, weather, and the military. A satellite in orbit around 22000 miles up is in geostationary orbit which enables a satellite to hoover above one spot of the earth. Satellite TV uses this as the satellite dish points in one direction of the sky.

Answer 5

You can try Yahoo Beta Map. Click on Satellite. OR Download Google Earth, install it and use it. Keep in mind these satellite pics are not up to date.

Answer 6

The communications subsystem of a satellite is essential to the function of all satellites. There are many different components used in spaceborne communications subsystems including: special antennas, receivers, and transmitters. All components must be highly reliable and low weight. Most satellites are fitted with beacons or transponders, which help with easy ground tracking. Global receive and transmit horns receive and transmit signals over wide areas on earth. Many satellites and ground stations have radio dishes that transmit and receive signals to communicate. The curved dishes reflect outgoing signals from the central horn and also reflect signals in incoming beams. Transmitting antennas transmit pictures at different frequencies and varying coverage. They also receive command signals from earth. A satellites ability to receive signals is also necessary in order to trigger the return of data or to correct a malfunction if possible.

Answer 7

The geothruster thyrystorretro rockets blast them into a phase two orbital protoplasm as you know this causes severe stress on the thrombodial plates which gives negative nuclear diodic changes into elevatiory forces .causing a post traumatic overtoinsion.
This completes the explanation of how they get up there in simple laymens terms. hope this helps.

Answer 8

Satellites come crashin down!

Answer 9

gfdysui njsinfdje ndsjfyttrvi939rv qkkehyvfkvk jehbhhchcb .v ..gkidlf//. djhufwnv,klf.,.llfjw3uiy74yhjfnn
enjeuhfjeh Little green men......... nfbhg1edbjb .........edji3i2uue
HOPe ThAT HElpS!!

Answer 10

SNAP !
M