Maqsad logo

Gravitation

Artificial satellites

Physics

SATELLITE:

A satellite is an object that revolves around a planet. Satellites can be natural, such as the Moon, or artificial, which are typically human-made objects launched into orbit around Earth or other planets. Artificial satellites are used for a variety of purposes, such as communication, weather observation, and scientific research.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NATURAL & ARTIFICIAL SATELLITES:

USES OF ARTIFICIAL SATELLITES:

  • They are used for communication.

  • For mapping and navigation.

  • For collecting information about weather.

  • To collect information of about the surface and composition of other planets.

COMMUNICATION SATELLITE:

“An artificial satellite which completes its one revolution around the Earth in 24 hours is used for communication purpose, hence called ‘Communication Satellite’

.

Since, Earth complete its one rotation about its axis in 24 hours, therefore the communication satellites appear to be stationary with respect to a point on the surface of Earth. For this reason such satellites are also called “Geostationary Satellites” and their orbits consequently called “Geostationary orbits”.