We all know much about satellites. If any one asks us "What is a satellite?", our answer will be "Satellite is a artificial device that is made to rotate around the planet in a certain orbit to provide information about the space to us". But this statement is not fully correct. They are also used for destruction purposes and more... Come lets know more about it...
In the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavor. Such objects are sometimes called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural satellites such as the Moon.
Types of satelllites
* Anti-Satellite weapons/"Killer Satellites" are satellites that are armed, designed to take out enemy warheads, satellites, other space assets. They may have particle weapons, energy weapons, kinetic weapons, nuclear and/or conventional missiles and/or a combination of these weapons.
* Astronomical satellites are satellites used for observation of distant planets, galaxies, and other outer space objects.
* Biosatellites are satellites designed to carry living organisms, generally for scientific experimentation.
* Communications satellites are satellites stationed in space for the purpose of telecommunications. Modern communications satellites typically use geosynchronous orbits, Molniya orbits or Low Earth orbits.
* Miniaturized satellites are satellites of unusually low weights and small sizes. New classifications are used to categorize these satellites: minisatellite (500–200 kg), microsatellite (below 200 kg), nanosatellite (below 10 kg).
* Navigational satellites are satellites which use radio time signals transmitted to enable mobile receivers on the ground to determine their exact location. The relatively clear line of sight between the satellites and receivers on the ground, combined with ever-improving electronics, allows satellite navigation systems to measure location to accuracies on the order of a few meters in real time.
* Reconnaissance satellites are Earth observation satellite or communications satellite deployed for military or intelligence applications. Little is known about the full power of these satellites, as governments who operate them usually keep information pertaining to their reconnaissance satellites classified.
* Earth observation satellites are satellites intended for non-military uses such as environmental monitoring, meteorology, map making etc.
* Space stations are man-made structures that are designed for human beings to live on in outer space. A space station is distinguished from other manned spacecraft by its lack of major propulsion or landing facilities — instead, other vehicles are used as transport to and from the station. Space stations are designed for medium-term living in orbit, for periods of weeks, months, or even years.
* Tether satellites are satellites which are connected to another satellite by a thin cable called a tether.
* Weather satellites are primarily used to monitor Earth's weather and climate.
