Types and Uses of Satellites

Uses of Satellites

Satellites are used for a large number of purposes. Common types include military and civilian Earth observation satellites, communication satellites, navigation satellites, weather satellites, research satellites, space stations, and human spacecraft in orbit.

Types of Satellites

• Astronomical Satellites: Astronomical Satellites are satellites used for the observation of distant planets.

• Bio Satellites: Bio Satellites are satellites designed to carry living organisms, generally for scientific experiments.

• Weather Satellites: Weather Satellites are primarily used to monitor Earth’s weather and climate.

• Manned Space Craft: Manned Space Crafts are large satellites able to put human beings into an orbit and return them to earth.

• Communication Satellites: Communication Satellites are satellites stationed in space for the purpose of telecommunication. Modern communication satellites typically use geosynchronous orbit.

• Reconnaissance Satellites: Reconnaissance Satellites are Earth observation satellites or communication satellites deployed for military or intelligence applications.     

• Earth Observation Satellites: Earth Observation Satellites are satellites intended for non-military uses such as environmental monitoring, meteorology, map making etc.

• Space Stations: Space Stations are man-made orbital structures that are designed for human beings to live in outer space. Space stations are designed for medium-term living in orbit, for periods of weeks, months or even years.

• Navigational Satellites: Navigational Satellites are satellites which use radio time signals transmitted to enable mobile receivers on the ground to determine their exact location.