1. What are satellites used for? Satellites have literally changed how people act, think and work. The world relies on them for almost everything since it is capable of providing us with accurate warnings and threats. They often affect our lives without us realizing it. They make us safer, provide modern conveniences, and broadcast entertainment. Satellites are also used for both exploration and communication (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2014). Exploratory satellites are equipped with instruments to measure the density, temperature and ionization of the upper atmosphere, cosmic radiation, the number and size of micrometeorites, and the strength and direction of the geomagnetic field. Weather satellites photograph the earth regularly in …show more content…
“Sputnik” means “companion” or “fellow traveller” in Russian. It was launched into a low-Earth orbit barely above the Earth's atmosphere. It was not used for two-way communications since it could only transmit a signal to Earth. The United States of America and Russia were the first two nations to draw plans for an artificial satellite. In 1955, the United States of America and Russia publicly announced their proposals concerning the construction of satellites (Software, 2014). Within two years, Russia accomplished their goal and the United States of America followed closely …show more content…
How do satellites function and what is their ongoing source of energy?
A satellite works by receiving radio signals sent from the Earth and resending the radio signals back down to the Earth. In a simple system, a signal is reflected, or "bounced," off the satellite. In addition to amplifying the signal, a communications satellite also typically converts the radio from one frequency to another so that the signal getting sent down is not confused with the signal being sent up.
The power supply subsystem generates, stores, and distributes a satellites electrical power. The amount of electrical power required ranges, depending on the instrumentation and communications load on a satellite. It also depends on the lifetime of a satellite. There are many different types of power that may be used for a satellites power supply subsystem (Transition.fcc.gov, 2014). Short-lived fuel cells or batteries can supply power, by long-living solar cells, or by radioisotope devices.
5. Transition.fcc.gov
FCC Satellite Learning Center
In-text: (Transition.fcc.gov, 2014)
Bibliography: Transition.fcc.gov, (2014). FCC Satellite Learning Centre. http://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/kidszone/satellite/kidz/how_sats_work.html [Accessed 23 May.