Meaning of satellite (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Satellite:

As a satellite we designate the smallest body that orbits around another with a higher proportion. Astronomy differentiates between two types of satellite: natural and artificial celestial bodies. The word, as such, comes from the Latin satelles , satellĭtis , and was originally used to refer to the guard or escort of the king, hence it has subsequently been used to designate what is around or around something.

In this sense, it can be used to refer to a person who depends on or is subordinate to another of higher rank. Within the demographic organization, for its part, there is also the concept of a satellite city, which implies the creation of a city dependent, in terms of economic activity, on another of greater importance. Likewise, it can be used to refer to a State that is politically and economically dominated by another State that has greater power.

In mechanics, satellite can designate the toothed wheel of a gear that rotates on an axis and whose function is to transmit the movement of another toothed wheel.

Natural satellite

A natural satellite is an opaque celestial body, whose brightness supposes the reflection of a greater star, which orbits around a major or primary planet. The satellite, as such, accompanies the planet in its movement of translation around the star that it, in turn, orbits. The satellite that is most familiar to us is the Moon, although other planets in the solar system, such as Jupiter, Mars or Saturn, also have their own satellites or moons.

It may interest you Solar system.

Artificial satellite

An artificial satellite is a spacecraft that has been placed in orbit around the Earth (or some other star), arranged with technology for the collection and retransmission of information. Its orbit can be low, medium, elliptical or geostationary (according to the speed of the Earth), depending on the type of functions it is intended for, which may be peaceful, for the transmission of data of a geological, cartographic, meteorological or experimental nature, as well as for applications in the telephone and television industry, or the military, such as espionage.

Weather satellite

A meteorological satellite is one whose essential function is to track atmospheric weather and Earth's environmental conditions to collect and relay information. In this sense, a meteorological satellite, in addition to tracking weather-related phenomena, covers aspects of atmospheric activity such as air pollution, polar auroras, forest fires, sand storms, ocean currents and phenomena such as hurricanes or volcanic eruptions; Likewise, it is also useful to observe the state of the ozone layer, the color of the seas, the lights of the cities, or the snow-covered areas on the Earth's surface.

Communications satellite

As a communication satellite, it is called that type of satellite used for the emission and retransmission of signals in large areas of the Earth's surface using radio or microwave frequencies. In this sense, its function is similar to that of an antenna, but its range of action is greater and more effective. They are generally geostationary satellites used extensively by the telecommunications industry.

See also:

Moon