Overview of Satellite Types and Their Functions : GEO, LEO, MEO satellites
Satellites play a crucial role in various aspects of modern technology and communication. They come in different types, each designed to serve specific applications such as communication, weather forecasting, navigation and earth observation. Understanding the different satellite types and their functions helps us appreciate the immense impact these devices have on global connectivity, scientific research, and disaster management. Gostationary (GEO), LEO and MEO orbiting satellites have been deployed to serve these space requirements.
Artificial satellites are mainly called as communication satellites which are categorized based on coverage, service type and their usage. Coverage varies based on beamwidth of the antenna on satellite and can be global, regional or national. Service types are FSS(Fixed Service Satellite), BSS(Broadcast Service Satellite) and MSS(Mobile Service Satellite). Usage of the satellite can be either for military use or for commercial use.
Moon is the natural satellite which orbits around the Earth. Similarly Mars has
two tiny natural satellites.
The satellites made by human beings are known as artificial satellites such as CubeSat,
INSAT, Sputnik and so on.
Satellite Repeater
In order to use satellite for communication purpose or relay/repeater application, Ground station(Earth station) need to track the satellite as it revolves above the Earth for short duration as per the orbit it is placed in. There will be no communication when satellite disappear and move to the other side of visible area of the earth station antenna. One solution to this problem is to launch satellite in a long elliptical orbit and second solution is to have Geosynchronous satellite at the distance of about 35,860 Km. The same is explained below.
Geostationary Satellite
Geostationary satellite is the most common type of satellite and more popular today.
This is located at geostationary circular orbit
above earth at about 35,860 Km. GEO satellite's angular speed is same as that of the Earth,
it remains at the same position on the equator even if the Earth moves/rotates.
Hence GEO satellite is ideal for providing continuous service 24 Hrs of the time.
Function : This allows them to maintain a constant view of a specific region on the Earth's surface.
Advantages of GEO Satellite
• Tracking of the satellite from Earth is easy.
• As satellite is stationary, doppler frequency
change can be avoidable between satellite and antenna on the Earth.
• About three satellites separated by 120 degrees can cover entire region of the earth except
north/south poles.
Disadvantages of GEO Satellite
• signal becomes weak after travelling such long distance
• delay is more, about 120 ms from Earth to the satellite. It will be about 240ms for double hop system i.e. from the Earth to the satellite and back to the Earth.
• some of the regions such as polar region and north and south hemispheres are poorly served.
LEO Satellite
Function : LEO satellite is located at about 500 to 1500 Km altitude.
This type of satellite is visible for about 20 minutes from a
fixed location on earth. The orbit period is about 1.5-2 Hours. Coverage diameter is approx. 8000Km.
Advantages of LEO satellite
• The signal power is good enough for earth terminals.
• The round trip delay also is less(about 20ms) due to its location at lesser altitude than GEO satellite.
Disadvantages of LEO satellite
• This LEO satellite system requires many such satellites to provide 24 Hr service on earth.
• Atmospheric drag is significant resulting in orbital deterioration gradually.
MEO Satellite
Function : MEO satellite is located at the altitude of about 5000 to 12000 Km above earth.
The orbit period is about 6 Hours. Coverage diameter is approx. 10000 -15000Km.
Round trip delay is about 50ms. It provides balance between coverage and latency
Advantages of MEO satellite
• This system of satellites requires much fewer handoffs compare to LEO satellites.
• Maximum visible time from earth is about few hours.
Disadvantages of MEO satellite
• Propagation delay is more compare to LEO satellites.
• Power required is also more than LEO satellites.
Conclusion
The diverse types of satellites, each with specialized functions, form the backbone of our global communication, navigation, and observation systems. From enabling instant communication across continents to predicting weather patterns and monitoring environmental changes, satellites have become indispensable tools for technological advancement and societal development. By exploring satellite types and their functions, we gain insight into how these technologies continue to shape our world.
Satellite types | active satellite and passive satellite
Active 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.
Passive satellite: The passive satellite is a reflector which receives the
signal from the transmitting earth station and scatters the signal in all the directions.
Refer Active satellite vs Passive satellite >>
for more information.