In the coming decade, a trio of advanced space observatories will open new windows on the universe, tackling some of the most profound mysteries in astronomy. These next-generation telescopes – NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, and the European Space Agency’s PLATO and ATHENA missions – are poised to revolutionize our understanding of everything from…
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Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet network, has rapidly expanded coverage worldwide since its beta launch in 2020. As of mid-2025, Starlink service is available in over 110 countries and territories, with more on the way idemest.com. Below is an up-to-date regional breakdown of Starlink availability – including countries with full commercial service, those in beta or…
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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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Imagine peering down at Earth through thick clouds or the dead of night and still seeing clear images of the surface. Traditional optical satellites are blind in such conditions – in fact, at any given moment about 75% of the planet is obscured either by cloud cover or darkness, making it inaccessible to optical imaging…
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Satellite Phone Basics What is a satellite phone? A satellite phone (or satphone) is a mobile phone that connects directly to orbiting satellites instead of terrestrial cell towers. This means it can place calls and send messages from almost anywhere on Earth, especially in regions without cellular coverage. Like a regular cell phone, a satphone supports voice calling…
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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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Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) like GPS have revolutionized how we find our position on Earth. Yet, the standard GPS accuracy (on the order of several meters) often isn’t sufficient for missions like precision farming, engineering surveys, autonomous navigation, or tectonic measurements gssc.esa.int. To bridge this accuracy gap, two advanced techniques have emerged over the…
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Have you ever taken GPS for granted on your phone and wondered if other countries have their own “GPS”? It turns out an intense global navigation space race is underway – and the upgrades are astonishing. The U.S., Europe, China, and Russia are modernizing and expanding their Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) like never before.…
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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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Definition and How Geostationary Orbit Works A geostationary orbit (GEO) is a circular orbit around Earth’s equator at approximately 35,786 km altitude (about 22,236 miles) where a satellite orbits once per sidereal day (~23 hours 56 minutes) in the same direction as Earth’s rotation en.wikipedia.org esa.int. This precise altitude and orbital period make the satellite…
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