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History
Science
How are satellites useful?
Technology Part of: Engineering Environment Technology
Engineering
Satellites are useful in lots of ways. They look at the Earth as well
Telescopes
as space. They also help us in our the daily lives.
Satellites
How are satellites useful?
Communications
Observing satellites
Satellites in
Space Exploration space allow
Maths us to share
Useful Links information
across the
whole
world. The
signals used
by TV and
mobile
phones use
a type of
light called
radio
waves.
Radio waves Smartphone with maps app
can travel Credit: The Schools' Observatory

long
distances but only in a straight line. This means they can't go
around the curve of the Earth. So we can't send these signals along
the ground to other side of the globe. Instead, we send the signal
up to a satellite in space. The satellite then sends the signal back
down to Earth. If you live or work in a remote part of the world,
satellite phones and Internet are vital.

Navigation and Industry

If you want to find your way to a new place what do you do? You
probably use a map app on a phone or a sat nav in a car. These
use the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). This is a
group of satellites which work together in space. Mobile apps use
the GNSS to work out the distance between your phone and a few
of the satellites. It then uses this data to work out where you are in
the world! Planes and ships use these accurate sat nav systems to
avoid collisions.

Did you know a network of satellites like the GNSS is known as a

'constellation'?

Even banks need satellites. Banking computer systems need a

single, precise time for each payment someone makes. The GNSS
acts like a giant watch in space. Each satellite has a high precision
atomic clock on board. Satellites help machines around the world
agree on exactly what time it is. This helps keep banking safe and
prevent fraud.

Did you know clocks on satellites move quicker than

ones on the Earth? Einstein's Theory of Special
Relativity explains why. The GNSS has to take this
into account.

Weather
&
Climate
The weather
affects our
lives each
day, so we
need
reliable
weather
forecasts.
They help Phytoplankton blooms in the North Sea
us to plan Credit: The Met Office
our activities and decide what to wear. Extreme weather can cause
flooding, wildfires, droughts or hurricanes. These types of weather
put people's homes, businesses and lives at risk. So accurate
weather forecasts can save lives. Bad weather can be a huge
problem for industries like farming, fishing, construction and
tourism. They rely on forecasts to plan their activities. Weather
forecasts use computers and lots of data to predict what's going to
happen. They rely on the correct data coming from satellites
measuring the Earth’s atmosphere and surface. The first weather
satellite was Tiros 1 which launched on 1st April 1960.

Climate is not the same as weather. When we speak about climate,

we think about the whole world. It is large-scale and long-term.

Changes to the Earth’s climate can happen naturally. Large storms

coming from the Sun and volcanic eruptions on Earth affect the
climate. Scientists agree the Earth's climate is now changing
because of humans. Satellites measure the temperature of the
Earth and the amount of greenhouse gases in the air. They also
collect data on the amount snow, sea ice and plant cover. These
measurements help to monitor and predict changes to the Earth’s
climate.

Observing Earth
Over 70% of the Earth's surface is covered in water. Satellites are
used to collect lots of information on the seas and oceans. The
height of sea levels and waves, the temperature of water, and the
direction and strength of ocean winds are all measured. Photos
taken from space show the amount of land covered in forests or
crops, or covered by roads and buildings. Satellites also measure
the amount of pollution in the air.

The information from satellites is used to learn more about our

planet and the environment. Scientists compare the data collected
around the world, or in the same place at different times. This lets
them work out how the environment today has changed to that
from 5, 10 or 20 years ago. It also helps them work out why
changes have taken place and predict what might happen in the
future.
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