Communications satellite

Communications satellites are satellites stationed in space for the purpose of telecommunications. They relay radio waves between different places.^[1] Most are in synchronous orbit. Direct-broadcast satellites transmit many television channels.

Satellite based communication systems can be used for voice and data transmission in remote and underserved locations such as ships at sea. Satellite internet access is internet access provided through satellites. Satellite based systems can be used for providing high quality broadband internet connection to businesses.

Herman Potočnik (writing as 'Herman Noordung') was the first to propose that space stations use radio to communicate with Earth. In October 1945 Arthur C. Clarke published an article titled "Extraterrestrial relays" in the British magazine Wireless World.^[2][1] The article described artificial satellites in geostationary orbits to relay radio signals. So, Clarke is often quoted as being the inventor of the communications satellite.^[3][4]

Primitive communication satellites were tested in the early 1960s. Geosynchronous satellites became important in the 1970s.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Latifiyan, Pouya; Mazlumi, Farhad; HabibNejad, Saeed (2024). "1". Satellite Internet in the Aviation Industry. Aviation Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering Department (1st ed.). Tehran, Iran: Civil Aviation Technology College. doi:10.13140/RG.2.2.25125.92640.
2. ↑ "Extraterrestrial Relays". Archived from the original on 25 December 2007.
3. ↑ "Arthur C. Clarke, inventor of satellite, visionary in technology, dead at 90". Engadget.com. 18 March 2008. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
4. ↑ "Arthur C. Clarke". NY Times. Retrieved 1 April 2013.