Satellites JSS1 Basic Science Lesson Note

SATELLITES

v Meaning

v Uses

Meaning

A satellite is a body that orbits or moves around a planet e.g. the moon is a satellite of the Earth.

Thus, the satellites or moons of the planet in our solar system are shown below

PLANET                   NO OF SATELLITES

Mercury                     None

Venus                         None

Earth                          1

Mass                          2

Jupiter                        12

Saturn                        9

Uranus                       5

Neptune                      2

Pluto                          None

NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL SATELLITES

The moons that orbit the planets in the solar system are natural satellites while artificial satellites are moon-made bodies, that were launched by various countries, and now orbiting the Earth e.g.

COUNTRY      YEAR OF FIRST LAUNCH       FIRST SATELLITE

USSR                         1957                          Sputnik 1

USA                           1958                          Explorer 1

Australia                 1964                          Blue Streak

France                        1965                          Asterix

Japan                         1970                          Osumi

China                         1970                          Dong Fang Hang 1

United Kingdom         1971                          Prospero X-3

India                          1979                          Rohini 1

Israel                          1988                          Ofeg 1

Nigeria                       2003                          SAT 1

Types and Uses of Satellites

1. Astronomical satellites: They are used for observation of distant planets, galaxies, and other outer space objects
2.     Bio satellites: These are used to carry living organisms, especially for scientific experimentation
3.     Observation satellites: They are used for geographical studies, photographing of areas, map marking
4.     Weather satellites: These are used to monitor the weather conditions in the atmosphere and supply the information to ground stations
5.     Communication satellites: They are designed purposely to send information quickly from one place to another
6.     Reconnaissance satellites: They are used for military or intelligence purposes, such as observing enemy location or troop movements
7.     Space station satellites: They are designed for human beings to live on in outer space. They are only designed for periods of weeks, months, or years
8. Navigational satellites: These used radio time signals, which enable mobile receivers on the ground to determine their exact location