When we think of a satellite we often think of the large electronic contraption that orbits our earth and allows us to have things like cell phones, TV broadcasts from other parts of the world and the Internet. It allows us to take pictures of our earth, guide missiles and perform a variety of other tasks we often take for granted. The thing is, a satellite is really ANY object that orbits another. The earth is a satellite to the sun as our moon is a satellite to our earth. However popular usage has confused an artificial satellite with an actual satellite. Now many scientists refer to the moon and other objects like it as a natural satellite. If you think about it, the electrons that orbit our nucleus in our bodies are considered a nano satellite. WE HAVE SATELLITES IN OUR BODIES! THEY'RE EVERYWHERE!



There are tons of different kinds of satellites. There are astronomical satellites that are used to observe distant planets, galaxies and other objects in outer space. There are communication satellites that give us things like satellite radio, satellite TV and satellite phone. Another type of satellite is an earth observation satellite that is often called a reconnaissance satellite when used by the military. Moving along, we have navigation satellites that give us things like GPS. We have solar power satellites, space stations that are a satellites and even killer satellites. Killer satellites are used by the military to destroy enemy satellites. Last but not least there are biosatellites designed to carry living organisms for experimentation. Oh, I almost forgot, there are weather satellites that are used to monitor the weather and/or climate of the earth (or other planets).

For your interest, it was an English science fiction writer, Arthur C. Clarke who conceived the possibility of artificial communication satellites in 1945. Contrary to what the USA will have you believe, the first artificial satellite was Sputnik 1 launched by Soviet Union on October 4, 1957. Yes, the Soviet Union was the first country to explore space. To date, the largest artificial satellite currently orbiting the Earth is the International Space Station. The International Space Station (ISS) is a joint project of five space agencies: the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (United States), the Russian Federal Space Agency (Russian Federation), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Japan), the Canadian Space Agency (Canada) and the European Space Agency (Europe)