Satellites

What is a Satellite?

A satellite is an artificial body placed in orbit around the earth or another planet in order to gain information.

Different types of Satellites

• Polar Satellites
• Geostationary Satellites
• Navigation Satellites
• Space Exploration Satellites
• Atmospheric Studies Satellites

WHAT IS A POLAR SATELLITE?

A polar orbit is one in which a satellite passes above or nearly above both poles of the body being orbited (usually a planet such as the Earth, but possibly another body such as the Sun) on each revolution. It therefore has an inclination of (or very close to) 90 degrees to the equator. A satellite in a polar orbit will pass over the equator at a different longitude on each of its orbits.

What are Geostationary satellites?

An orbit whose position in the sky remains the same for a stationary observer on earth. This effect is achieved with a circular orbit 35,786 kilometres (22,236 mi) above the Earth's equator and following the direction of the Earth's rotation.