A satellite is a heavenly object that orbits around a planet, like the moon. An
artificial satellite is one that is made my man to orbit around a planet for
many reasons. The first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched in space on
October 4, 1957 by Russia. As technology advances, more powerful satellites
have been built and sent into space for military purposes, weather forecasting,
geological surveying and communication.
The term geostationary satellite refers to satellites that are orbiting around
earth at a rate that its orbital period equals that of the earths period of
rotation. This makes the satellite seem stationary from the earths surface.
The word geostationary comes from combining geo, meaning earth and
stationary meaning at a fixed point.
Why must the satellite dish face the same direction and must
remain at the same location with respect to the surface of the
Earth?
Source: http://www.intelsat.com/
When a satellites revolution period equals the earths period of rotation, that
satellite is in a geosynchronous orbit. Geosynchronous literally means same
time as earth. To achieve this, a satellite must be at a specific altitude where
the force of gravity balances out with the momentum that the satellite gains by
travelling at high speed. Satellites that are in geosynchronous orbit and
orbiting around the equator are known as geostationary satellites. When a
satellite is in geosynchronous orbit, from earth it would appear that the
satellite traces out a figure 8. When a satellite is in geostationary orbit, from
the surface of the earth, the satellite appears to be in the same spot 24/7.
The altitude at which the geostationary satellite orbits can be worked out by
using Keplars Law of Periods.
Which works Radius of satellites orbit to be 42 168 km. Minus the radius of
the earth would give the altitude to be approximately 35 800km (earth is not
is not a perfect sphere, giving the approximate value).
Source: http://www.intelsat.com
Identify the satellites used for live telecasts from other regions of
the world to Australia and vice versa.
However, some of there satellites have either been overused or was built for
only a certain period of time. Current communication satellites used by
Australia are:
These satellites send and receive signals from most Asian countries and
Australias ground stations. For Australia to send or receive signals to or from
anywhere else on the planet, the signal can be relayed through these satellites
to and from other satellites.
Identify three major sporting events involving Australian teams
overseas and their location. Predict the position of satellites used
to telecast these events live to Australia.
These satellites would relay the signals to the OPTUS satellites and then
transmitted to ground stations in Australia.
These satellites would relay the signals to the OPTUS satellites and then
transmitted to ground stations in Australia.
These satellites would relay the signals to the OPTUS satellites and then
transmitted to ground stations in Australia or OPTUS satellites can receive
signals directly from the location and relay it to Australias ground stations as
the foot print of these OPTUS satellites cover the area.
Evaluate the impact communication satellites have had on society.
Books:
M. Andriessen et al, Physics 2 HSC Course, John and Wiley Sons, Australia, 2003.
pp. 45-46
CD-ROM:
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