what is meant by an artificial satellite how are the satellites classified based on their functions
Answers
An artificial satellite is an object that people have made and launched into orbit using rockets. There are currently over a thousand active satellites orbiting the Earth. The size, altitude and design of a satellite depend on its purpose.
Satellites can be classified by their function since they are launched into space to do a specific job. The satellite must be designed specifically to fulfill its role. There are nine different types of satellites i.e. Communications Satellite, Remote Sensing Satellite, Navigation Satellite, LEO, MEO, HEO, GPS, GEOs, Drone Satellite, Ground Satellite, Polar Satellite. Communications satellites are artificial satellites that relay receive signals from an earth station and then retransmit the signal to other earth stations. They commonly move in a geostationary orbit. A remote Sensing instrument collects information about an object.
Global Positioning System (GPS) consists of up to 32 medium Earth orbit satellites in six different orbital planes, with the exact number of satellites varying as older satellites are retired and replaced. Operational since 1978 and globally available since 1994, GPS is currently the world's most utilized satellite navigation system.
Communications Satellite
Remote Sensing Satellite
Navigation Satellite
Geocentric Orbit type staellies - LEO, MEO, HEO
Global Positioning System (GPS)
Geostationary Satellites (GEOs)
Drone Satellite
Ground Satellite
Polar Satellite
Nano Satellites, CubeSats and SmallSats