Satellite Communications
General
Space radio communications comprise any form of electronic communication by means of radio waves using one or more space stations, one or more reflecting satellites, or other objects in outer space. Satellite communications involve the interconnection of two or more geographically separated locations on Earth or within the Earth’s atmosphere via an object in space, namely an artificial satellite. For this purpose, a satellite must be capable of independently receiving and transmitting radiocommunication signals. Accordingly, depending on the direction of transmission—from the Earth to the satellite and vice versa—the terms (uplink) and (downlink) are used. From the launch of the first artificial satellite into Earth orbit in 1957 (Sputnik 1) to the present day, satellite communication systems have undergone exceptional technological development and have become globally accessible, enabling connectivity in every part of the world. Communication satellites are used for a wide range of services and applications, including telephony; television and radio broadcasting; broadband Internet access; data transmission; amateur radio communications; military applications; Earth and space observation; precise positioning, navigation and timing; meteorological observation and weather forecasting; and many others.
Technological advances have enabled satellites to provide broadband communications anywhere in the world, particularly in remote and rural areas, without the need for substantial investment in terrestrial infrastructure. In addition, satellite communications are resilient to terrestrial natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, hurricane-force winds or tsunamis.
Satellite systems are increasingly used for Earth observation and the collection of geospatial data. The data thus collected are used to predict, manage and study a wide range of phenomena affecting the Earth, its systems and its inhabitants, including climate change modelling; monitoring and forecasting weather conditions; tracking the distribution of human and animal populations; monitoring glacier movement, sea-level rise and wildlife migration; and many other applications.
Space radio communications comprise any form of electronic communication by means of radio waves using one or more space stations, one or more reflecting satellites, or other objects in outer space. Satellite communications involve the interconnection of two or more geographically separated locations on Earth or within the Earth’s atmosphere via an object in space, namely an artificial satellite. For this purpose, a satellite must be capable of independently receiving and transmitting radiocommunication signals. Accordingly, depending on the direction of transmission—from the Earth to the satellite and vice versa—the terms (uplink) and (downlink) are used. From the launch of the first artificial satellite into Earth orbit in 1957 (Sputnik 1) to the present day, satellite communication systems have undergone exceptional technological development and have become globally accessible, enabling connectivity in every part of the world. Communication satellites are used for a wide range of services and applications, including telephony; television and radio broadcasting; broadband Internet access; data transmission; amateur radio communications; military applications; Earth and space observation; precise positioning, navigation and timing; meteorological observation and weather forecasting; and many others.
Technological advances have enabled satellites to provide broadband communications anywhere in the world, particularly in remote and rural areas, without the need for substantial investment in terrestrial infrastructure. In addition, satellite communications are resilient to terrestrial natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, hurricane-force winds or tsunamis.
Satellite systems are increasingly used for Earth observation and the collection of geospatial data. The data thus collected are used to predict, manage and study a wide range of phenomena affecting the Earth, its systems and its inhabitants, including climate change modelling; monitoring and forecasting weather conditions; tracking the distribution of human and animal populations; monitoring glacier movement, sea-level rise and wildlife migration; and many other applications.