The Enormous Size of the Satellites - Essay Example

I realized that the California Science Centre would offer a great opportunity for me to learn and explore the use of applied physics and astronomy in the world of today and future inventions. The center featured a large screen used for presentations and educative films on space exploration. The Sketch Foundation Gallery captivated our attention and it occurred to me that it would best serve as a point of reference for our field trip. At the gallery, several space satellites were on display, and among the ones that would capture the attention of any visitor was the communication satellite. The scientific tour guide made us understand that these space satellites vary in size depending on the main purpose of their use.

The enormous size of the satellites was triggering many questions among us. The approximate weight of these satellites is six to eight tones of metal like the size of a small school bus. Apart from the size and physical appearance, the various parts of the space satellite were intriguing. The major parts included a massive rocket propulsion system and its fuel tanks to move the satellite into space, antennas, and large transceivers for radio communication (Miller, 55). In addition, the large solar panels for converting solar energy in space to electricity together with the batteries to store the energy was also an amazing combination of energy-sustaining systems in space. The most important system of communication was the onboard computer processor that served as the “brain” of the satellite. The computer also served as a storage device for information and reception of instruction (Miller, 56). All these parts proved just how amazing the scientific ventures and exploration may go in space exploration.

Despite the size of these satellites and all their parts, the question on my mind was how these satellites managed to stay in space and move around the earth without falling back to earth. Our visitor's tour guide who was also a scientist at the center gave us a comprehensive presentation of how the space satellite orbits the earth. The presentation began with an explanation of how they launched the satellites from the earth with rocket propulsion engines using highly combustible fuel. This is in accordance with the third law of motion by Newton the states for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Once the satellite is in space it uses the law of gravity that states two bodies experience a gravitational pull that is a product of their masses and distance from each other (Miller, 77). The established balance between the speed of the satellite and the earth’s gravitational pull enables the satellite to orbit the earth. The presentation and viewing space taken pictures provided the opportunity to understand how NASA uses space satellites today in assisting various scientists such as meteorologists in the study of the earth and space.

The satellite communicated to the earth and other satellites relating information about the oceans, clouds, ice, and hurricanes, and measuring gases in the atmosphere such as carbon dioxide and ozone. Communication satellites beam television-broadcasting signals around the globe and phone calls using the global positioning system commonly referred to as GPS to get a location on the earth’s surface. Satellites also provide astrological information about other planets and stars by capturing close pictures of the surfaces of these planets. Astrologers also get information about comets and asteroids together with harmful incoming rays from the sun. All this information is conveyed through radio communication and computer processors on board. Any information from the space satellites is received on the earth’s surface via a turnstile antenna.
At the end of the field trip, I was able to explain how the global weather forecasting, communication, and national surveillance systems are a success. Read More