active satellite vs passive satellite | difference between active satellite and passive satellite
This page compares active satellite vs passive satellite and mentions difference between active satellite and passive satellite. It mentions examples of both active satellite and passive satellite types.
Active Satellite

• The figure-1 depicts active satellite type.
• The active satellite has many benefits over passive satellite.
• It has its own transmitting and receiving antennas.
• It amplifies the signal received from earth station or ground station and
retransmits the amplified signal back to earth.
• In addition to amplification, it performs frequency translation of the received signal
before retransmission. Active satellite can generate power for its own operation.
• It is known as active repeater due to its functionality.
Example#1:
Active Remote sensing satellites transmit energy which is used to form
the image.
Example#2:
ACRIMSAT, Courier 1B
Passive Satellite

• The figure-2 depicts passive satellite type.
• The passive satellite is a reflector which receives the signal from the transmitting earth station and
scatters the signal in all the directions.
• It reflects the EM radiation without any modification and
and/or amplication.
• Passive satellite can not generate power of its own and simply
reflects the incident power.
• It is known as passive repeater due to its functionality.
Example#1 :
Passive remote sensing satellites collect the energy which is reflected or
emitted from the surface.
Example#2 :
Starshine, PAGEOS
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