Importance of Satellites

Credit: NASA – Climate Satellite

The balance between Earth gravity and the satellites mass, keep satellites flying high in the sky in their orbits, allowing them to see large areas of Earth at one time.

Satellites also have a clear view of space. That’s because they fly above Earth’s clouds and air.

Long before satellites, TV signals didn’t reach very far because they travel in straight lines. So mountains or tall buildings would block those signals and sometimes they would get lost in space instead of following Earth’s curve.

Phone calls to faraway places were also a problem and very expensive since it involved setting up telephone wires over long distances or under the water.

With satellites, TV signals and phone calls can be sent up to a satellite. The satellite can then send them back down to different spots on Earth.

Satellites also provide us with a global positioning system (GPS) that help us know exactly where we are and how to get to anywhere we want to go.

They also help relay weather conditions and forecasts.

Governments also use satellites to spy on other countries in order to protect its people.

They are used for space research, monitor crops to tell farmers which fields need to be fertilized in order to produce healthy crops monitor the environment and even help in making maps.

All of these satellite services are very valuable to us.

Credits NASA
Article adapted from Encyclopedia of Space, by Miles Kelly and NASA Website

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