Satellite Technology: Principles and Applications, 3rd Edition

10Communication Satellites

Since the launch of Sputnik-1 in the year 1957, over 8500 satellites have been launched to date for a variety of applications like communication, navigation, weather forecasting, Earth observation, scientific and military services. The term ‘satellite’ has become a household word today as the horizon of its applications has touched the life of everyone, whether it be talking to someone thousands of kilometres away within the comforts of one's own house in a matter of a few seconds, watching a variety of TV programmes or having access to the world news and weather forecast on a routine basis. Satellites are also being used as navigational aids by vehicles on land, in the air or on the sea; in remote sensing applications to unearth the hidden mineral resources which may otherwise have remained untapped, in astronomical research and in exploring the atmosphere. Because of its growing application potential, satellite technology which was originally confined to the developed countries is finding new outlets in the developing countries of the world.

Based on the intended applications, the satellites are broadly classified as communication satellites, navigation satellites, weather forecasting satellites, Earth observation satellites, scientific satellites and military satellites. In the following chapters, there will be a focus on this ever-expanding vast arena of satellite applications. The emphasis is on the underlying principles, the application potential ...