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Internal Electrical Power: The main power in satellite is from solar cells. Other sources are batteries and fuel cells.

Nuclear power has its role in heating/powering satellites as well. Every once in awhile folks get antsy when a reactor powered satellite de-orbits and crashes. Other Power: Satellites also have external power (thrust) for changing orbit and orientation and as a final de-orbitting mechanism. This may be in the form or chemical fuel. Ion discharges (electrical) may also be used for low power thrust.

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Satellites in orbit around the earth tend to be powered by solar panels.

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Q: How much power needed to keep a satellite in orbit?
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Does the satellite requires power to revolve around the earth?

No. Once the satellite is placed in orbit, its momentum will keep it orbiting along its original path - more of less. "More or less" means: 1. The satellite may need minute adjustments to its position, so that it can photograph its intended targets (stars/planets, the earth), or can keep in contact with its intended radio/television/mobile phone services, and 2. A satellite's orbit will slowly decay, and the satellite would eventually come into the outer atmosphere, begin to slow down, and burn up as its orbit brought it into denser air. For both these reasons, satellites may use small "positioning" thrusters to steer and to regain orbital speed.


What is sun-synchronous polar orbit?

A Sun-synchronous orbit (sometimes incorrectly called a heliosynchronous orbit) is a geocentric orbit which combines altitude and inclination in such a way that an object on that orbit ascends or descends over any given point of the Earth's surface at the same local mean solar time. The surface illumination angle will be nearly the same every time. This consistent lighting is a useful characteristic for satellites that image the Earth's surface in visible or infrared wavelengths (e.g. weather and spy satellites) and for other remote sensing satellites (e.g. those carrying ocean and atmospheric remote sensing instruments that require sunlight). For example, a satellite in sun-synchronous orbit might ascend across the equator twelve times a day each time at approximately 15:00 mean local time. This is achieved by having the osculating orbital plane recess (rotate) approximately one degree each day with respect to the celestial sphere, eastward, to keep pace with the Earth's revolution around the Sun.[1]The uniformity of Sun angle is achieved by tuning the inclination to the altitude of the orbit (details in section "Technical details") such that the extra mass near the equator causes orbital plane of the spacecraft to precess with the desired rate: the plane of the orbit is not fixed in space relative to the distant stars, but rotates slowly about the Earth's axis. Typical sun-synchronous orbits are about 600-800 km in altitude, with periods in the 96-100 minute range, and inclinations of around 98° (i.e. slightly retrograde compared to the direction of Earth's rotation: 0° represents an equatorial orbit and 90° represents a polar orbit).[1]Special cases of the sun-synchronous orbit are the noon/midnight orbit, where the local mean solar time of passage for equatorial longitudes is around noon or midnight, and the dawn/dusk orbit, where the local mean solar time of passage for equatorial longitudes is around sunrise or sunset, so that the satellite rides the terminator between day and night. Riding the terminator is useful for active radar satellites as the satellites' solar panels can always see the Sun, without being shadowed by the Earth. It is also useful for some satellites with passive instruments which need to limit the Sun's influence on the measurements, as it is possible to always point the instruments towards the night side of the Earth. The dawn/dusk orbit has been used for solar observing scientific satellites such as Yohkoh, TRACE,Hinode and Proba-2, affording them a nearly continuous view of the Sun.[citation needed]Sun-synchronous orbits are possible around other oblate planets, such as Mars. But for example Venus is too spherical for having a satellite in sun-synchronous orbitA polar orbit is an orbit in which a satellite passes above or nearly above both poles of the body (usually a planet such as the Earth, but possibly another body such as the Sun) being orbited on each revolution. It therefore has an inclination of (or very close to) 90 degrees to the equator. Except in the special case of a polar geosynchronous orbit, a satellite in a polar orbit will pass over the equator at a different longitude on each of its orbits.Polar orbits are often used for earth-mapping, earth observation, and reconnaissance satellites, as well as for some weather satellites. The Iridium satellite constellation also uses a polar orbit to provide telecommunications services. The disadvantage to this orbit is that no one spot on the Earth's surface can be sensed continuously from a satellite in a polar orbit.It is common for near-polar orbiting satellites to choose a sun-synchronous orbit: meaning that each successive orbital pass occurs at the same local time of day. This can be particularly important for applications such as remote sensing of the atmospheric temperature, where the most important thing to see may well be changes over time, which you do not want to see aliased onto changes in local time. To keep the same local time on a given pass, it is desirable for the orbit to be as short as possible, which is to say as low as possible. However, very low orbits of a few hundred kilometers would rapidly decay due to drag from the atmosphere. A commonly used altitude is approximately 1000 km; this produces an orbital period of about 100 minutes.[1] The half-orbit on the sun side then takes only 50 minutes, during which local time of day does not greatly vary.To retain the sun-synchronous orbit as the Earth revolves around the sun during the year, the orbit of the satellite must precess at the same rate. Were the satellite to pass exactly over the pole, this would not happen. But because of the Earth's equatorial bulge, an orbit inclined at a slight angle is subject to a torque which causes precession; it turns out that an angle of about 8 degrees from the pole produces the desired precession in a 100 minute orbit.[1]A satellite can hover over one polar area a large part of the time, albeit at a large distance, using a polar highly elliptical orbit with its apogee above that area. This is the principle behind aA polar orbit is an orbit in which a satellite passes above or nearly above both poles of the body (usually a planet such as the Earth, but possibly another body such as the Sun) being orbited on each revolution. It therefore has an inclination of (or very close to) 90 degrees to the equator. Except in the special case of a polar geosynchronous orbit, a satellite in a polar orbit will pass over the equator at a different longitude on each of its orbits.Polar orbits are often used for earth-mapping, earth observation, and reconnaissance satellites, as well as for some weather satellites. The Iridium satellite constellation also uses a polar orbit to provide telecommunications services. The disadvantage to this orbit is that no one spot on the Earth's surface can be sensed continuously from a satellite in a polar orbit.It is common for near-polar orbiting satellites to choose a sun-synchronous orbit: meaning that each successive orbital pass occurs at the same local time of day. This can be particularly important for applications such as remote sensing of the atmospheric temperature, where the most important thing to see may well be changes over time, which you do not want to see aliased onto changes in local time. To keep the same local time on a given pass, it is desirable for the orbit to be as short as possible, which is to say as low as possible. However, very low orbits of a few hundred kilometers would rapidly decay due to drag from the atmosphere. A commonly used altitude is approximately 1000 km; this produces an orbital period of about 100 minutes.[1] The half-orbit on the sun side then takes only 50 minutes, during which local time of day does not greatly vary.To retain the sun-synchronous orbit as the Earth revolves around the sun during the year, the orbit of the satellite must precess at the same rate. Were the satellite to pass exactly over the pole, this would not happen. But because of the Earth's equatorial bulge, an orbit inclined at a slight angle is subject to a torque which causes precession; it turns out that an angle of about 8 degrees from the pole produces the desired precession in a 100 minute orbit.[1]A satellite can hover over one polar area a large part of the time, albeit at a large distance, using a polar highly elliptical orbit with its apogee above that area. This is the principle behind aA polar orbit is an orbit in which a satellite passes above or nearly above both poles of the body (usually a planet such as the Earth, but possibly another body such as the Sun) being orbited on each revolution. It therefore has an inclination of (or very close to) 90 degrees to the equator. Except in the special case of a polar geosynchronous orbit, a satellite in a polar orbit will pass over the equator at a different longitude on each of its orbits.Polar orbits are often used for earth-mapping, earth observation, and reconnaissance satellites, as well as for some weather satellites. The Iridium satellite constellation also uses a polar orbit to provide telecommunications services. The disadvantage to this orbit is that no one spot on the Earth's surface can be sensed continuously from a satellite in a polar orbit.It is common for near-polar orbiting satellites to choose a sun-synchronous orbit: meaning that each successive orbital pass occurs at the same local time of day. This can be particularly important for applications such as remote sensing of the atmospheric temperature, where the most important thing to see may well be changes over time, which you do not want to see aliased onto changes in local time. To keep the same local time on a given pass, it is desirable for the orbit to be as short as possible, which is to say as low as possible. However, very low orbits of a few hundred kilometers would rapidly decay due to drag from the atmosphere. A commonly used altitude is approximately 1000 km; this produces an orbital period of about 100 minutes.[1] The half-orbit on the sun side then takes only 50 minutes, during which local time of day does not greatly vary.To retain the sun-synchronous orbit as the Earth revolves around the sun during the year, the orbit of the satellite must precess at the same rate. Were the satellite to pass exactly over the pole, this would not happen. But because of the Earth's equatorial bulge, an orbit inclined at a slight angle is subject to a torque which causes precession; it turns out that an angle of about 8 degrees from the pole produces the desired precession in a 100 minute orbit.[1]A satellite can hover over one polar area a large part of the time, albeit at a large distance, using a polar highly elliptical orbit with its apogee above that area. This is the principle behind a


How can you get Internet in the mountains?

WhatDepends on location. If you can get cable TV or phone service, most providers offer packages that include internet service. For very remote areas there are satellite internet providers that may get you online. Try HughesNet; Wild Blue; Skyway; or Starband. Keep in mind that you are working off of satellite signals and dense forests or woodlands will block reception. If this is the case you will need to make a clearing to eliminate overhead obstructions. The satellite company should provide you with the direction and degree of clearance needed.


What are the 2 factors that newton realized that keep the earth in orbit around the sun and the moon in orbit around the earth?

Newton realized that gravity keeps bodies in orbit around each other. That's the only factor that's necessary, which is lucky, because that's the only one that exists.


Launching rocket at orbital velocity from earth makes the satellite balanced. but how it is keep on revolving the earth even vacuum also have resistance why it does not stop the rotation?

it never stop rotating cus of the earth's gravity. it just the same as moon rotating around the earth. Another Answer: Orbital velocity is just that (among others). The amount of force needed to to achieve a "Free Fall" state. The satellite is actually falling back to Earth in this state and would crash back into it except for one thing. For every foot the satellite falls toward the Earth, the Earth moves a foot out of the way.

Related questions

A satellite communication system why is the geostationary orbit preferred?

A geostationary orbit will keep the satellite in one area relative to the surface


What keep a satellite in its orbit around?

Gravity wants to pull the satellite back to Earth - the speed the satellite travels around the Earth wants to fling it out into space. The two forces cancel each other out, and so the satellite remains in orbit - pulled in opposite directions with equal force.


What is station keeping of satellite?

Geostationary should resolve in geostationary orbit because its centrimeter and gravitational force in geostationary satellite.A parking slot is provided for satellite.In geostationary satellite is maintain in this orbit in its whole life and maintain satellite in geostationary orbit is called "Station Keeping"In other words, the control routine necessary to keep the satellite in positionis known as "Station Keeping".It use to overlapping of coverage area of individual satellite.


Does the satellite requires power to revolve around the earth?

No. Once the satellite is placed in orbit, its momentum will keep it orbiting along its original path - more of less. "More or less" means: 1. The satellite may need minute adjustments to its position, so that it can photograph its intended targets (stars/planets, the earth), or can keep in contact with its intended radio/television/mobile phone services, and 2. A satellite's orbit will slowly decay, and the satellite would eventually come into the outer atmosphere, begin to slow down, and burn up as its orbit brought it into denser air. For both these reasons, satellites may use small "positioning" thrusters to steer and to regain orbital speed.


Why do satellites have to be in space?

Well it comes down to central force. The closer you are to the eath the more velocity (left and right) you need to keep the satellite in orbit to overcome the force of the earth pulling it down, so it become inpratical in terms of energy needed. Too far away from the eath and gravitational force of the earth might be too weak to keep the satellite from flying of into space. However you can get Low earth orbit satellites http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_Earth_orbit


What forces does the sun use to keep the planets in orbit?

solar power


Is the satellite subjected to gravitational pull?

Not at all. The mutual gravitational force that attracts the satellite and the earth toward each other is exactly what keeps the satellite in orbit. Without it, the satellite would just take off in a straight line away from the vicinity of the earth.


Can a satellite send information in a solar eclipse?

Are you worried that the satellite won't get sunshine during a solar eclipse to power its solar panels ?Any artificial satellite whose orbit is not directly over the earth's poles is already in darknessfor roughly half of every orbital revolution, 24/7. That's why every satellite has storage batteries,to save it up when the sun is shining, and keep it going when it's not . . . a lot like your cellphoneor your cordless drill.


What advantages does a weather satellite in geostationary orbit have over a weather satellite in polar orbit?

A satellite in Geosychronous Earth Orbit (GEO) orbits the Earth in the same time period that the Earth spins, so the satellite appears to be stationary over one spot above the Earth's equator. It's always looking down at the same area of the Earth. A satellite in a polar orbit will pass quickly over any one spot on Earth and keep going. It can't watch the same area for a long period. Depending on the altitude of the orbit, it may take days or weeks to pass over the same area again. However, polar orbits are typically much lower, permitting a much higher resolution image. This is very important for photo imagery, but not so much for weather.


Why dont satellites need a continuous supply of fuel?

An orbit, for the most part, does not require any work to maintain. A satellite orbiting earth is essentially in freefall and is continuously pull toward Earth. However, it is moving "sideways" so fast that it continously misses. Some fuel is needed to make occasional adjustments to the orbit, but not to maintain the orbit overall. Notice that the moon doesn't need any fuel to stay in orbit round the Earth, just as the Earth doesn't need any rocket engines or rubber bands to stay in orbit around the sun.


What keeps a satelite in its orbit around the earth?

The velocity of the satellite along with the earths gravitational pull work together to keep a satellite from either flying out into space or burning up in the atmosphere. They have to launch a satellite at a precise speed to make sure that the speed at which the satellite falls to earth matches the earth's curvature. The speed is 8000 meters a second.


Why is it useful that a communications satellite takes one day to orbit the earth?

If an artificial satellite can be positioned so that its orbit is exactly circular, and exactly over the equator, and takes exactly one sidereal day to orbit the earth, then an observer on the earth sees the satellite hang perfectly motionless in the sky. This is a big help when you want to receive radio or TV from the satellite, and you're using a high-gain 'dish' antenna that has to stay pointed at the satellite. If the satellite moved in the sky, then you would need some complicated machinery to keep it always pointed in the right direction. But if the satellite appears motionless in the sky, then your dish never has to move ... just set it once and forget it. If the popular TV satellites moved in the sky, there's no way that all those little dishes on the houses could be equipped to track the satellite and still be economically feasible.