LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Satellites: Environmental Satellites
built 280 days ago
Satellites and Orbits: An Introduction This is an easy-to-use interactive, animated introduction, for students in Grades 8 through 10, to satellites and the forces which determine orbits. Lessons highlight a short satellite history, a non-mathematical review of basic orbital physics, orbital terminology and orbit types with a focus on Earth observation and environmental monitoring. It includes a reading assignment, classroom demonstration, student activity lab, quiz and lesson instructions.
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Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) circle the Earth in a geosynchronous orbit over the equator. This means they observe the Earth from the exact same place all the time. This allows the GOES satellites to continuously monitor a single position on the earth's surface. From 35,800 kilometers (22,300 miles) above the earth, GOES satellites provide half-hourly observations of the earth and its environment. Earth coverage of the GOES-8 and GOES-10 satellites has been depicted below.
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Satellites can operate in several types of Earth orbit. The most common orbits for environmental satellites are geostationary and polar, but some instruments ... fly in inclined orbits. Other types of orbits are possible, such as the Molniya orbits commonly used for Soviet spacecraft.
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TIROS polar orbiting satellites (NOAA-class), launched and operated by the United States, are the principal sources of environmental data for the 80% of the globe that is not covered by conventional monitoring equipment. These satellites measure temperature and humidity in the Earth's atmosphere, record surface ground and surface sea water temperatures, and monitor cloud cover and water/ice boundaries. They have the capability to receive, measure, process, and retransmit data from balloons, buoys, and remote automatic stations distributed around the globe. These satellites ... carry Search and Rescue (SAR) transponders, which help locate downed airplanes or ships in distress. Polar orbiting satellites send back pictures to Earth via Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) or High Resolution Picture Transmission (HRPT) formats.
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Satellites used to observe the Earth carry a variety of instruments to study the land, ocean, air and life, as well as their interactions. Scientists at NASA's Langley Research Center use several satellites now in orbit to measure some very specific atmospheric phenomena, such as the amount of ozone in the atmosphere, and to help them distinguish between environmental changes caused by humans and those that occur naturally.
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Space Systems/Loral is a premier designer, manufacturer, and integrator of powerful satellites and satellite systems. SS/L ... provides a range of related services that include mission control operations and procurement of launch services. Based in Palo Alto, Calif., the company has an international base of commercial and government customers whose applications include broadband data communications, television and radio broadcasting, mobile satellite services, fixed satellite services, defense communications, environmental monitoring, and air traffic control. SS/L satellites have amassed more than 1,300 years of reliable on-orbit service. SS/L is ISO 9001:2000 certified. For more information, visit www.ssloral.com .
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Environmental Satellites