Satellite Technologies & Imaging

A satellite is an object that has been intentionally placed into orbit around the earth.

Satellites are used for communication, remote sensing, navigation, cartography, conservation, geology, agriculture, astronomy, global positioning (GPS), weather tracking, spying and military uses.

Satellites orbit earth at different heights, different speeds and along different paths. The two most common orbits are geostationary and polar. There are currently about 5,000 satellites in orbit.

Satellites use active and passive sensors to capture data, Passive sensors collect data via electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun. Active sensors emit their own radiation and analyse it as it reflects back. Electromagnetic radiation includes visible light, infrared and ultraviolet light.

The most well know example of satellite imaging is Google Earth. Many other organisations also own satellite image databases for commercial, military, academic and research use.