Story of satellites

Have you ever wondered about satellites?

where all these satellites present?

Is there an expiry for Satellites?

Where all the expired satellites go?

                

Satellites are using for communication purposes and know some other things like weather forecasts. The first satellite was launched on October 4,1957 by the soviet union named Sputnik 1. It is known that distance from earth is inversely proportional to gravitational pull. When the satellite is near to earth it requires more speed to stay in orbit.

Due to negligible resistance in space, no need of running fuel all overtime to rotate around the earth. Once it reached orbit fuel can be consumed only when the satellite goes out of orbit to place it back.

There are three types of orbits in different layers where satellites can be placed.

• Low Earth Orbit
• Geosynchronous Earth Orbit
• Medium Earth Orbit

The satellite is placed in various orbits with respect to its application.

Low Earth Orbit(LEO): If the satellite works for the observation of earth like weather forecasts, geographic survey, satellite calls are placed in LEO. For all these operations it needs an orbit near to earth. Leo is the orbit near to the earth. It is present at an altitude(height) of 1600 to 2000 km. Its orbital period is 1.5hrs.

The satellites present in this area cant be covered more area of the earth. 

Geosynchronous Earth Orbit(GEO): To broadcast Leo is not suitable. So this area is selected for some purposes. It is at a height of 35,780 km and rotates according to the earth's speed. The satellites placed here will be at rest with respect to earth because of the same speed. So this is the best place for television-related satellites. As the satellites are resting with respect to speed there is no need of adjusting the antenna. This orbit is the busiest of all orbits. This orbit will be managed by  International Telecommunication Union(ITU). Navigational satellites also use this orbit. GEO satellite covers one-third of the earth. So only three satellites will sufficient to cover the whole earth.

Medium Earth Orbit(MEO): The satellites that work for navigational apps like GPS will be placed in MEO. It is at the height of 2000 to 35,700 km. Navigational satellites use MEO because the whole earth can be covered in 24 satellites. These satellites are placed at a height of 20,200 km. Its orbital period is 12 hrs.

Various orbits around the earth

You may get a doubt why satellites can't be placed lower than these orbits. Its because there is a Van Allen Belt below LEO which contains many charged particles which can cause high damage to satellites. So satellites won't be placed below LEO.

Main components in satellite:

 

Transponder: It is used to change frequency, removing noise, and amplifies the signal power. The satellite contains more than 20 transponders. There is a need for high power for transponders. 

Solar Panels: These panels supply power to transponders by taking sunlight.

Then what about during the eclipse?

Batteries: Batteries will be used during Eclipse for transponders.

Sun Sensors: These sensors help satellites to place their solar panels with respect to the sun. So that maximum power can be produced.

Antenna: These are used for receiving data and sending data.

Thrusters: when a satellite gets displaced these thrusters will be used to get it placed. This satellite contains fuel for this condition.

What about the expired satellites?

There is an orbit far from GEO which is called graveyard orbit. By using thrusters these expired satellites will be moved to this orbit to reduce accidents with other satellites which are in use. It is above 200 km from GEO.

For satellites, you may be seen a gold-colored foil. It's not only one layered, it contains many layers to safeguard from high temperature in space. Its acts as a shield from temperature.

"Unrecognised helper to us who helps in our boring situations by providing signals to television and mobile -- Satellite🐱‍👤🐱‍👤"