Imagine a satellite that not only takes pictures of Earth, but can also identify what materials compose each pixel of the image. This is the promise of hyperspectral imaging – a technology giving satellites “super-vision” across hundreds of colors beyond human sight. Hyperspectral sensors capture detailed spectral fingerprints of objects by measuring reflected light in…
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Definition and Basic Principles Satellite imagery refers to images of Earth (or other planets) collected by orbiting satellites. These images are a form of remote sensing, meaning the data are acquired from a distance without direct contact. Satellites carry sensors that detect electromagnetic radiation reflected or emitted from the Earth’s surface. Most imaging satellites use passive sensors that rely…
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Satellites have become our planet’s orbiting guardians, silently circling Earth and gathering data that help scientists unravel the story of climate change. Using advanced sensors, these high-tech observers measure everything from global temperatures and greenhouse gas levels to shrinking ice sheets and disappearing forests. The result is a revolution in climate monitoring – a wealth…
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High above Earth, in the crowded expanse of geosynchronous orbit (GEO) some 22,300 miles up, a set of American satellites quietly keeps watch. These are the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) satellites – often dubbed “neighborhood watch” satellites – and they form a covert but crucial line of defense in space. Born in secrecy…
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Introduction: A New Era of Anywhere Connectivity Imagine being able to send a message or make a call from anywhere on Earth, even far outside cellular coverage. That’s the promise driving the development of next-generation handheld satellite phones and advanced antennas. Long seen as bulky gadgets of last resort, satellite phones are now undergoing a…
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Introduction: LEO and the Rise of Small Satellites Low Earth Orbit (LEO) generally refers to orbits up to about 2,000 km above Earth’s surface nasa.gov. At these altitudes, satellites circle the globe in ~90–120 minutes, close enough for low-latency communications and high-resolution observations. In recent years, small satellites – typically massing from a few kilograms…
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Introduction: Modern military forces rely heavily on satellites as force multipliers and intelligence assets in space. Over the last few decades, warfare has shifted toward highly technology-driven operations, making space-based capabilities central to strategic planning nsin.us. Military satellites – once limited to Cold War-era spy missions – now form the ever-watchful “eyes in the sky,” delivering critical communications, surveillance, navigation,…
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Definition and Overview Aviation satellite services refer to the use of satellites to support air travel through communication, navigation, surveillance, and connectivity functions. These services enable aircraft to maintain links far beyond the range of ground-based radios by connecting to communications satellites en.wikipedia.org. Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) provide precise positioning and navigation signals to…
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When hurricanes flatten cell towers and earthquakes sever landlines, staying connected becomes a lifeline. In such dire scenarios, satellite phones emerge as critical tools to maintain communication when the grid goes dark. Unlike regular cell phones tied to terrestrial networks, satellite phones link directly to satellites orbiting above, enabling calls and messages from virtually anywhere…
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Imagine a village high in the mountains or deep in the rainforest, once cut off from the online world, suddenly gaining high-speed internet from the sky. This is the promise of satellite internet. By beaming broadband connectivity from orbit, satellite networks are bridging the digital divide and transforming life in far-flung communities. In 2023, an…
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