When we talk about natural satellites, we're referring to celestial bodies that orbit a larger celestial body. However, when we refer to artificial satellites, we're talking about any non-natural object orbiting a celestial body. These objects usually have a specific purpose, such as better understanding the universe. They are born from human technology and are used to obtain information about the celestial body being studied. Most artificial satellites orbit the Earth. They are of great importance to the development of human technology, and today we couldn't live without them.
Therefore, we are going to dedicate this article to telling you everything you need to know about artificial satellites and their characteristics, uses and types.
Key features
Unlike natural satellites such as the moon, artificial satellites are man-made. They orbit larger objects due to the force of gravity. They are typically highly sophisticated machines with revolutionary technology. They are launched into space to gather vast amounts of information about our planet. It's worth noting that debris from other machines, spacecraft carrying astronauts, orbital stations, and interplanetary probes are not considered artificial satellites.
Among the main characteristics of these objects is that they are launched by rockets. Rockets are simply any vehicle, such as a missile, spacecraft, or aircraft, that propels the satellite upward. They are programmed to follow a predetermined path. They have a primary function or task to fulfill, such as cloud observation, for example. Most artificial satellites orbiting our planet remain in a continuous orbit . On the other hand, there are satellites sent to other planets or celestial bodies that must be tracked to gather information and conduct monitoring.
Uses of artificial satellites
There are several basic types of artificial satellites orbiting Earth: geostationary satellites and polar satellites. These are the main ones, categorized by their uses. These satellites are used to create maps and obtain specific information about Earth or other planets. For example, the Global Positioning System (GPS) relies on a network of artificial satellites orbiting Earth. This network determines the location and position of an object on the planet through telecommunications systems. These systems also include television and cell phones.
Artificial satellites have both scientific and applied uses. Examples of scientific uses include the study of outer space, solar radiation, planets, and so on. Other examples of applied uses include meteorological observation, military espionage, remote sensing, and telecommunications, among others.
It's important to note that geostationary and polar satellites orbit at different distances. Some are located at an altitude of 240 kilometers, while others are as far as 36.200 kilometers. Each type of satellite has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on its use. Most satellites orbiting the Earth remain within a range of 800 kilometers and travel at speeds of around 27,400 kilometers per hour. This high speed is necessary to prevent gravity from pulling them back down.
These artificial satellites consist of two basic parts: the antenna and the power source. The antenna is responsible for sending and receiving the information. The power source can be either batteries or solar panels. These are necessary for the machine to continue operating.
Types of artificial satellites
As we mentioned before, there are two basic types of satellites that orbit the Earth. They are as follows:
- Geostationary: They are those that move in an east-west direction above the Equator. They follow the direction and speed of the Earth's rotation.
- Polar: They are so called because they travel from one pole to another in a north-south direction.
Within these two basic types, we have several types of satellites that observe and detect characteristics of the atmosphere, oceans, and landmasses. These are known as environmental satellites. They can be further divided into geosynchronous and sun-synchronous satellites . Geosynchronous satellites orbit the Earth at the same speed as the Earth's rotation. Sun-synchronous satellites pass over a specific point on the planet at the same time each day. Most of the satellites used in telecommunications for weather forecasting are geosynchronous.
Space debris and impacts
We cannot deny that artificial satellites have significantly improved human life. However, a satellite can disintegrate in the atmosphere upon re-entry. After reaching the end of its useful life or having collected all the necessary data, it has several options. It can re-enter the atmosphere and disintegrate, or it can become space debris, remaining in orbit around a celestial body without any further purpose. In the case of a satellite at a low altitude, it typically disintegrates upon re-entry into the atmosphere in several pieces.
The sheer number of artificial satellites orbiting the planet without any use is significant. This group of satellites is therefore referred to as space debris. Artificial satellites that are successfully launched into orbit are essential for life in society. This has a positive impact on humankind. Thanks to this, we can explore other planets, detect meteorites, observe life on Earth, and obtain information about the climatic variables of a specific point on the planet.
From an economic and communication point of view, they are also used to receive television, radio, internet and telephone signals. Today we could not live without them.