Satellite communication refers to any communication link that involves the use of an artificial satellite in its propagation path.
Services provided via satellite communication are expanding rapidly and include everything from GPS and entertainment to airport control management and military usage.
An often overlooked very important satcom service is weather forecasting and early warning.
There are two types of weather satellites: polar orbiting and geostationary. Both satellite systems have unique characteristics and produce very different products.
The two polar orbiting satellites, in their north-south orbits, observe the same spot on the Earth twice daily, once during the daylight and once at night. Polar orbiting satellites provide imagery and atmospheric soundings of temperature and moisture data over the entire Earth.
Geostationary satellites are in orbit 22,000 miles above the equator, spin at the same rate of the Earth and constantly focus on the same area. This enables the satellite to take a picture of the Earth, at the same location, every 30 minutes. Computer processing of this data creates “movie loops” of the data that forecasters use as their real-time “bird’s eye view” from space.
Overall, weather satellites play a crucial role in helping to mitigate the damage caused by natural disasters. By providing detailed data on the intensity of storms, predicting where storms are headed, and monitoring the aftermath of disasters, satellites help to save lives and reduce the amount of property damage.
Weather satellites provide nearly real-time data that allow for better forecasting of extreme weather events. This information is used to provide advance warnings to communities in the path of dangerous storms, allowing them to take proper precautions to reduce the impact of disasters. For example, if a hurricane is approaching, emergency responders can use satellite data to track the storm’s trajectory and plan their response accordingly.
Satellites also provide us with valuable data about potential hazards such as flooding, wildfires, and other natural disasters. By tracking these events, emergency responders can better prepare for any possible outcomes and be more prepared to respond quickly and efficiently.
In addition, weather satellites can provide valuable information about the environment, allowing us to better understand how climate change is impacting our planet. This information can be used to develop strategies to reduce the risk of natural disasters, as well as inform decisions about how to respond to them.
Want to learn more? Tonex offers over a dozen courses in Satellite Communications. You can see our courses here, such as:
Satellite Communications Design and Engineering Training (4 days)
Advanced SATCOM Training (3 days)
Cybersecurity and SATCOM Training (4 days)
Satellite Communications Training for non-engineers (4 days)
For more information, questions, comments, contact us.