Communications Satellite

space technology · radio signals · global connectivity

Relay and amplify. Communications satellites catch radio signals from Earth, make them stronger, and beam them back down to different locations. This lets people on opposite sides of the planet talk to each other instantly.

Two types of orbits. Some satellites stay in the same spot above the equator at 22,236 miles up (geostationary orbit), so ground antennas can point at them permanently. Others zoom around Earth much closer, and ground stations have to constantly track and switch between them.

Power many services. Communications satellites handle television broadcasts, phone calls, radio stations, internet connections, and even military communications all at the same time.

Like a relay in the sky. Just as a relay runner passes a baton to the next runner, a satellite receives signals from one place and passes them to another, connecting people who are too far apart to talk directly.