Satellite

In the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an object that

has been intentionally placed into orbit. These objects are
called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural
satellites such as Earth's Moon.

On 4 October 1957 the Soviet Union launched the

world's first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1. Since then,
about 8,900 satellites from more than 40 countries have
been launched. According to a 2018 estimate, some
5,000 remain in orbit. Of those about 1,900 were
Play media
operational, while the rest have lived out their useful lives
NASA's Earth-observing fleet as of June 2019
and become space debris. Approximately 63% of
operational satellites are in low Earth orbit, 6% are in
medium-Earth orbit (at 20,000 km), 29% are in
geostationary orbit (at 36,000 km) and the remaining 2% are in elliptic
orbit. In terms of countries with the most satellites the USA
significantly leads the way with 859 satellites, China is second with
250, and Russia third with 146. These are then followed by India
(118), Japan (72) and the UK (52).[1] A few large space stations have
been launched in parts and assembled in orbit. Over a dozen space
probes have been placed into orbit around other bodies and become
artificial satellites of the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn,
a few asteroids,[2] a comet and the Sun.

Satellites are used for many purposes. Among several other

applications, they can be used to make star maps and maps of A full-size model of the Earth
planetary surfaces, and also take pictures of planets they are launched observation satellite ERS 2
into. Common types include military and civilian Earth observation
satellites, communications satellites, navigation satellites, weather
satellites, and space telescopes. Space stations and human spacecraft in orbit are also satellites.

Satellites can operate by themselves or as part of a larger system, a satellite formation or satellite constellation.

Satellite orbits vary greatly, depending on the purpose of the satellite, and are classified in a number of ways.
Well-known (overlapping) classes include low Earth orbit, polar orbit, and geostationary orbit.

A launch vehicle is a rocket that places a satellite into orbit. Usually, it lifts off from a launch pad on land.
Some are launched at sea from a submarine or a mobile maritime platform, or aboard a plane (see air launch to
orbit).

Satellites are usually semi-independent computer-controlled systems. Satellite subsystems attend many tasks,
such as power generation, thermal control, telemetry, attitude control, scientific instrumentation,
communication, etc.

Contents
History
Tracking
Space Surveillance Network
Services
Fixed satellite services
Mobile satellite systems
Scientific research satellites (commercial and noncommercial)
Types
Orbits
Centric classifications
Altitude classifications
Inclination classifications
Eccentricity classifications
Synchronous classifications
Special classifications
Pseudo-orbit classifications
Subsystems
Spacecraft bus or service module
Structural subsystem
Telemetry subsystem
Power subsystem
Thermal control subsystem
Attitude and orbit control subsystem
Communication payload
End of life
Launch-capable countries
Attempted first launches
Other notes
Launch capable private entities
First satellites of countries
Attempted first satellites
Planned first satellites
Attacks on satellites
Jamming
Earth observation
NASA
ESA
SpaceX
Pollution and regulation
Satellite services
See also
References
 External links

History
The first published mathematical study of the possibility of an artificial
satellite was Newton's cannonball, a thought experiment in A Treatise
of the System of the World by Isaac Newton (1687). The first fictional
depiction of a satellite being launched into orbit was a short story by
Edward Everett Hale, The Brick Moon.[3][4] The idea surfaced again
in Jules Verne's The Begum's Fortune (1879).

In 1903, Konstantin Tsiolkovsky (1857–1935) published Exploring

Space Using Jet Propulsion Devices, which is the first academic
Konstantin Tsiolkovsky
treatise on the use of rocketry to launch spacecraft. He calculated the
orbital speed required for a minimal orbit, and that a multi-stage rocket
fueled by liquid propellants could achieve this.

In 1928, Herman Potočnik (1892–1929) published his sole book, The

Problem of Space Travel – The Rocket Motor. He described the use of
orbiting spacecraft for observation of the ground and described how
the special conditions of space could be useful for scientific
experiments.

In a 1945 Wireless World article, the English science fiction writer

Arthur C. Clarke described in detail the possible use of
communications satellites for mass communications.[5] He suggested
that three geostationary satellites would provide coverage over the
entire planet.

In May 1946, the United States Air Force's Project RAND released
the Preliminary Design of an Experimental World-Circling Spaceship,
which stated that "A satellite vehicle with appropriate instrumentation
can be expected to be one of the most potent scientific tools of the
A 1949 issue of Popular Science
Twentieth Century."[6] The United States had been considering
depicts the idea of an "artificial
launching orbital satellites since 1945 under the Bureau of
moon"
Aeronautics of the United States Navy. Project RAND eventually
released the report, but considered the satellite to be a tool for science,
politics, and propaganda, rather than a potential military
weapon.[7] In February 1954 Project RAND released "Scientific
Uses for a Satellite Vehicle," written by R.R. Carhart.[8] This
expanded on potential scientific uses for satellite vehicles and was
followed in June 1955 with "The Scientific Use of an Artificial
Satellite," by H.K. Kallmann and W.W. Kellogg.[9]

In the context of activities planned for the International

Geophysical Year (1957–58), the White House announced on 29
July 1955 that the U.S. intended to launch satellites by the spring
of 1958. This became known as Project Vanguard. On 31 July, the
Soviets announced that they intended to launch a satellite by the Animation depicting the orbits of GPS
fall of 1957. satellites in medium Earth orbit.
The first artificial satellite was Sputnik 1, launched by the Soviet
Union on 4 October 1957 under the Sputnik program, with Sergei
Korolev as chief designer. Sputnik 1 helped to identify the density
of high atmospheric layers through measurement of its orbital
change and provided data on radio-signal distribution in the
ionosphere. The unanticipated announcement of Sputnik 1's
success precipitated the Sputnik crisis in the United States and
ignited the so-called Space Race within the Cold War.

Sputnik 2 was launched on 3 November 1957 and carried the first

living passenger into orbit, a dog named Laika.[10]
Sputnik 1: The first artificial satellite to
In early 1955, following pressure by the American Rocket Society, orbit Earth.
the National Science Foundation, and the International
Geophysical Year, the Army and Navy were working on Project
Orbiter with two competing programs. The army used the Jupiter C
rocket, while the civilian/Navy program used the Vanguard rocket to
launch a satellite. Explorer 1 became the United States' first artificial
satellite on 31 January 1958.[11]

In June 1961, three-and-a-half years after the launch of Sputnik 1, the

United States Space Surveillance Network cataloged 115 Earth-
orbiting satellites.[12]
1U CubeSat ESTCube-1, developed
Early satellites were constructed to unique designs. With
mainly by the students from the
advancements in technology, multiple satellites began to be built on
University of Tartu, carries out a
single model platforms called satellite buses. The first standardized
tether deployment experiment in low
satellite bus design was the HS-333 geosynchronous (GEO) Earth orbit.
communication satellite launched in 1972.

Currently the largest artificial satellite ever is the International Space

Station.[13]

Tracking
Satellites can be tracked from Earth stations and also from other satellites.

Space Surveillance Network

The United States Space Surveillance Network (SSN), a division of the United States Strategic Command, has
been tracking objects in Earth's orbit since 1957 when the Soviet Union opened the Space Age with the
launch of Sputnik I. Since then, the SSN has tracked more than 26,000 objects. The SSN currently tracks
more than 8,000-artificial orbiting objects. The rest have re-entered Earth's atmosphere and disintegrated, or
survived re-entry and impacted the Earth. The SSN tracks objects that are 10 centimeters in diameter or larger;
those now orbiting Earth range from satellites weighing several tons to pieces of spent rocket bodies weighing
only 10 pounds. About seven percent are operational satellites (i.e. ~560 satellites), the rest are space
debris.[14] The United States Strategic Command is primarily interested in the active satellites, but also tracks
space debris which upon reentry might otherwise be mistaken for incoming missiles.

Services
There are three basic categories of (non-military) satellite services:[15]

Fixed satellite services

Fixed satellite services handle hundreds of billions of voice, data, and video transmission tasks across all
countries and continents between certain points on the Earth's surface.

Mobile satellite systems

Mobile satellite systems help connect remote regions, vehicles, ships, people and aircraft to other parts of the
world and/or other mobile or stationary communications units, in addition to serving as navigation systems.

Scientific research satellites (commercial and noncommercial)

Scientific research satellites provide meteorological information, land survey data (e.g. remote sensing),
Amateur (HAM) Radio, and other different scientific research applications such as earth science, marine
science, and atmospheric research.

Types
Astronomical satellites are satellites used for observation of distant planets, galaxies, and
other outer space objects.
Biosatellites are satellites designed to carry living organisms, generally for scientific
experimentation.
Communication satellites are satellites stationed in space for the purpose of
telecommunications. Modern communications satellites typically use geosynchronous orbits,
Molniya orbits or Low Earth orbits.
Earth observation satellites are satellites intended for non-military uses such as
environmental monitoring, meteorology, map making etc. (See especially Earth Observing
System.)
Navigational satellites are satellites which use radio time signals transmitted to enable mobile
receivers on the ground to determine their exact location. The relatively clear line of sight
between the satellites and receivers on the ground, combined with ever-improving electronics,
allows satellite navigation systems to measure location to accuracies on the order of a few
meters in real time.
Killer satellites are satellites that are designed to destroy enemy warheads, satellites, and
other space assets.
Crewed spacecraft (spaceships) are large satellites able to put humans into (and beyond) an
orbit, and return them to Earth. (The Lunar Module of the U.S. Apollo program was an
exception, in that it did not have the capability of returning human occupants to Earth.)
Spacecraft including spaceplanes of reusable systems have major propulsion or landing
facilities. They can be used as transport to and from the orbital stations.
Miniaturized satellites are satellites of unusually low masses and small sizes.[16] New
classifications are used to categorize these satellites: minisatellite (500–1000 kg),
microsatellite (below 100 kg), nanosatellite (below 10 kg).
Reconnaissance satellites are Earth observation satellite or communications satellite
deployed for military or intelligence applications. Very little is known about the full power of
these satellites, as governments who operate them usually keep information pertaining to their
reconnaissance satellites classified.
 Recovery satellites are satellites that provide a recovery of reconnaissance, biological, space-
production and other payloads from orbit to Earth.
Space-based solar power satellites are proposed
satellites that would collect energy from sunlight and
transmit it for use on Earth or other places.
Space stations are artificial orbital structures that are
designed for human beings to live on in outer space. A
space station is distinguished from other crewed spacecraft
by its lack of major propulsion or landing facilities. Space
stations are designed for medium-term living in orbit, for
periods of weeks, months, or even years. International Space Station

Tether satellites are satellites which are connected to

another satellite by a thin cable called a tether.
Weather satellites are primarily used to monitor Earth's weather and climate.[17]

Orbits
The first satellite, Sputnik 1, was put into orbit
around Earth and was therefore in geocentric
orbit. This is the most common type of orbit by
far, with approximately 1,886[18] artificial
satellites orbiting the Earth. Geocentric orbits
may be further classified by their altitude,
inclination and eccentricity.

The commonly used altitude classifications of

geocentric orbit are Low Earth orbit (LEO),
Medium Earth orbit (MEO) and High Earth orbit
(HEO). Low Earth orbit is any orbit below 2,000
km. Medium Earth orbit is any orbit between
2,000 and 35,786 km. High Earth orbit is any
orbit higher than 35,786 km.

Centric classifications
Galactocentric orbit: An orbit around Various earth orbits to scale; cyan represents low earth
the centre of a galaxy. The Sun follows orbit, yellow represents medium earth orbit, the black
this type of orbit about the galactic dashed line represents geosynchronous orbit, the green
centre of the Milky Way. dash-dot line the orbit of Global Positioning System (GPS)
Geocentric orbit: An orbit around the satellites, and the red dotted line the orbit of the
planet Earth, such as the Moon or International Space Station (ISS).
artificial satellites. Currently there are
over 2218[18] artificial satellites orbiting
the Earth.
Heliocentric orbit: An orbit around the Sun. In our Solar System, all planets, comets, and
asteroids are in such orbits, as are many artificial satellites and pieces of space debris. Moons
by contrast are not in a heliocentric orbit but rather orbit their parent planet.
Areocentric orbit: An orbit around the planet Mars, such as by moons or artificial satellites.
Altitude classifications
Low Earth orbit (LEO): Geocentric orbits ranging in altitude from 180 km – 2,000 km (1,200 mi)
Medium Earth orbit (MEO): Geocentric orbits ranging in altitude from 2,000 km (1,200 mi) –
35,786 km (22,236 mi). Also known as an intermediate circular orbit.
Geosynchronous orbit (GEO): Geocentric circular orbit with an altitude of 35,786 kilometres
(22,236 mi). The period of the orbit equals one sidereal day, coinciding with the rotation period
of the Earth. The speed is approximately 3,000 metres per second (9,800 ft/s).
High Earth orbit (HEO): Geocentric orbits above the altitude of geosynchronous orbit
35,786 km (22,236 mi).

Inclination classifications
Inclined orbit: An orbit whose inclination in
reference to the equatorial plane is not zero
degrees.
Polar orbit: An orbit that passes above Orbital Altitudes of several significant satellites of
or nearly above both poles of the planet earth.
on each revolution. Therefore, it has an
inclination of (or very close to) 90
degrees.
Polar sun synchronous orbit: A nearly polar orbit that passes the equator at the same
local time on every pass. Useful for image taking satellites because shadows will be nearly
the same on every pass.

Eccentricity classifications
Circular orbit: An orbit that has an eccentricity of 0 and whose path traces a circle.
Hohmann transfer orbit: An orbit that moves a spacecraft from one approximately circular
orbit, usually the orbit of a planet, to another, using two engine impulses. The perihelion of
the transfer orbit is at the same distance from the Sun as the radius of one planet's orbit,
and the aphelion is at the other. The two rocket burns change the spacecraft's path from one
circular orbit to the transfer orbit, and later to the other circular orbit. This maneuver was
named after Walter Hohmann.
Elliptic orbit: An orbit with an eccentricity greater than 0 and less than 1 whose orbit traces the
path of an ellipse.
Geosynchronous transfer orbit: An elliptic orbit where the perigee is at the altitude of a
Low Earth orbit (LEO) and the apogee at the altitude of a geosynchronous orbit.
Geostationary transfer orbit: An elliptic orbit where the perigee is at the altitude of a Low
Earth orbit (LEO) and the apogee at the altitude of a geostationary orbit.
Molniya orbit: A highly elliptic orbit with inclination of 63.4° and orbital period of half of a
sidereal day (roughly 12 hours). Such a satellite spends most of its time over two
designated areas of the planet (specifically Russia and the United States).
Tundra orbit: A highly elliptic orbit with inclination of 63.4° and orbital period of one
sidereal day (roughly 24 hours). Such a satellite spends most of its time over a single
designated area of the planet.

Synchronous classifications
 Synchronous orbit: An orbit where the satellite has an orbital period equal to the average
rotational period (earth's is: 23 hours, 56 minutes, 4.091 seconds) of the body being orbited and
in the same direction of rotation as that body. To a ground observer such a satellite would trace
an analemma (figure 8) in the sky.
Semi-synchronous orbit (SSO): An orbit with an altitude of approximately 20,200 km
(12,600 mi) and an orbital period equal to one-half of the average rotational period (Earth's is
approximately 12 hours) of the body being orbited
Geosynchronous orbit (GSO): Orbits with an altitude of approximately 35,786 km (22,236 mi).
Such a satellite would trace an analemma (figure 8) in the sky.
Geostationary orbit (GEO): A geosynchronous orbit with an inclination of zero. To an
observer on the ground this satellite would appear as a fixed point in the sky.[19]
Clarke orbit: Another name for a geostationary orbit. Named after scientist and writer
Arthur C. Clarke.
Supersynchronous orbit: A disposal / storage orbit above GSO/GEO. Satellites will drift
west. Also a synonym for Disposal orbit.
Subsynchronous orbit: A drift orbit close to but below GSO/GEO. Satellites will drift east.
Graveyard orbit: An orbit a few hundred kilometers above geosynchronous that satellites
are moved into at the end of their operation.
Disposal orbit: A synonym for graveyard orbit.
Junk orbit: A synonym for graveyard orbit.
Areosynchronous orbit: A synchronous orbit around the planet Mars with an orbital period
equal in length to Mars' sidereal day, 24.6229 hours.
Areostationary orbit (ASO): A circular areosynchronous orbit on the equatorial plane and
about 17000 km (10557 miles) above the surface. To an observer on the ground this satellite
would appear as a fixed point in the sky.
Heliosynchronous orbit: A heliocentric orbit about the Sun where the satellite's orbital period
matches the Sun's period of rotation. These orbits occur at a radius of 24,360 Gm (0.1628 AU)
around the Sun, a little less than half of the orbital radius of Mercury.

Special classifications
Sun-synchronous orbit: An orbit which combines altitude and inclination in such a way that
the satellite passes over any given point of the planets' surface at the same local solar time.
Such an orbit can place a satellite in constant sunlight and is useful for imaging, spy, and
weather satellites.
Moon orbit: The orbital characteristics of Earth's Moon. Average altitude of 384,403 kilometers
(238,857 mi), elliptical–inclined orbit.

Pseudo-orbit classifications
Horseshoe orbit: An orbit that appears to a ground observer to be orbiting a certain planet but
is actually in co-orbit with the planet. See asteroids 3753 (Cruithne) and 2002 AA29.
Suborbital spaceflight: A maneuver where a spacecraft approaches the height of orbit but
lacks the velocity to sustain it.
Lunar transfer orbit (LTO)
Prograde orbit: An orbit with an inclination of less than 90°. Or rather, an orbit that is in the
same direction as the rotation of the primary.
 Retrograde orbit: An orbit with an inclination of more than 90°. Or rather, an orbit counter to the
direction of rotation of the planet. Apart from those in sun-synchronous orbit, few satellites are
launched into retrograde orbit because the quantity of fuel required to launch them is much
greater than for a prograde orbit. This is because when the rocket starts out on the ground, it
already has an eastward component of velocity equal to the rotational velocity of the planet at
its launch latitude.
Halo orbit and Lissajous orbit: Orbits "around" Lagrangian points.

Subsystems
The satellite's functional versatility is embedded within its technical components and its operations
characteristics. Looking at the "anatomy" of a typical satellite, one discovers two modules.[15] Note that some
novel architectural concepts such as Fractionated spacecraft somewhat upset this taxonomy.

Spacecraft bus or service module

The bus module consists of the following subsystems:

Structural subsystem

The structural subsystem provides the mechanical base structure with adequate stiffness to withstand stress and
vibrations experienced during launch, maintain structural integrity and stability while on station in orbit, and
shields the satellite from extreme temperature changes and micro-meteorite damage.

Telemetry subsystem

The telemetry subsystem (aka Command and Data Handling, C&DH) monitors the on-board equipment
operations, transmits equipment operation data to the earth control station, and receives the earth control
station's commands to perform equipment operation adjustments.

Power subsystem

The power subsystem consists of solar panels to convert solar energy into electrical power, regulation and
distribution functions, and batteries that store power and supply the satellite when it passes into the Earth's
shadow. Nuclear power sources (Radioisotope thermoelectric generator) have also been used in several
successful satellite programs including the Nimbus program (1964–1978).[20]

Thermal control subsystem

The thermal control subsystem helps protect electronic equipment from extreme temperatures due to intense
sunlight or the lack of sun exposure on different sides of the satellite's body (e.g. optical solar reflector)

Attitude and orbit control subsystem

The attitude and orbit control subsystem consists of sensors to measure vehicle orientation, control laws
embedded in the flight software, and actuators (reaction wheels, thrusters). These apply the torques and forces
needed to re-orient the vehicle to a desired attitude, keep the satellite in the correct orbital position, and keep
antennas pointed in the right directions.
Communication payload

The second major module is the communication payload, which is made up of transponders. A transponder is
capable of :

Receiving uplinked radio signals from earth satellite transmission stations (antennas).
Amplifying received radio signals
Sorting the input signals and directing the output signals through input/output signal
multiplexers to the proper downlink antennas for retransmission to earth satellite receiving
stations (antennas).

End of life
When satellites reach the end of their mission (this normally occurs within 3 or 4 years after launch), satellite
operators have the option of de-orbiting the satellite, leaving the satellite in its current orbit or moving the
satellite to a graveyard orbit. Historically, due to budgetary constraints at the beginning of satellite missions,
satellites were rarely designed to be de-orbited. One example of this practice is the satellite Vanguard 1.
Launched in 1958, Vanguard 1, the 4th artificial satellite to be put in Geocentric orbit, was still in orbit as of
March 2015, as well as the upper stage of its launch rocket.[21][22]

Instead of being de-orbited, most satellites are either left in their current orbit or moved to a graveyard orbit.[23]
As of 2002, the FCC requires all geostationary satellites to commit to moving to a graveyard orbit at the end of
their operational life prior to launch.[24] In cases of uncontrolled de-orbiting, the major variable is the solar
flux, and the minor variables the components and form factors of the satellite itself, and the gravitational
perturbations generated by the Sun and the Moon (as well as those exercised by large mountain ranges,
whether above or below sea level). The nominal breakup altitude due to aerodynamic forces and temperatures
is 78 km, with a range between 72 and 84 km. Solar panels, however, are destroyed before any other
component at altitudes between 90 and 95 km.[25]

Launch-capable countries
This list includes countries with an independent capability to place satellites in orbit, including production of
the necessary launch vehicle. Note: many more countries have the capability to design and build satellites but
are unable to launch them, instead relying on foreign launch services. This list does not consider those
numerous countries, but only lists those capable of launching satellites indigenously, and the date this
capability was first demonstrated. The list does not include the European Space Agency, a multi-national state
organization, nor private consortiums.
 First launch by country
Order Country Date of first launch Rocket Satellite(s)
1 Soviet Union 4 October 1957 Sputnik-PS Sputnik 1
2 United States 1 February 1958 Juno I Explorer 1
3 France 26 November 1965 Diamant-A Astérix
4 Japan 11 February 1970 Lambda-4S Ohsumi
5 China 24 April 1970 Long March 1 Dong Fang Hong I
6 United Kingdom 28 October 1971 Black Arrow Prospero
7 India 18 July 1980 SLV Rohini D1
8 Israel 19 September 1988 Shavit Ofeq 1

– [1] Russia 21 January 1992 Soyuz-U Kosmos 2175

– [1] Ukraine 13 July 1992 Tsyklon-3 Strela

9 Iran 2 February 2009 Safir-1 Omid

10 North Korea 12 December 2012 Unha-3 Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2
11 South Korea 30 January 2013 Naro-1 STSAT-2C
12 New Zealand 12 November 2018 Electron CubeSat

Attempted first launches

The United States tried in 1957 to launch the first satellite using its own launcher before
successfully completing a launch in 1958.
Japan tried four times in 1966–1969 to launch a satellite with its own launcher before
successfully completing a launch in 1970.
China tried in 1969 to launch the first satellite using its own launcher before successfully
completing a launch in 1970.
India, after launching its first national satellite using a foreign launcher in 1975, tried in 1979 to
launch the first satellite using its own launcher before succeeding in 1980.
Iraq have claimed an orbital launch of a warhead in 1989, but this claim was later disproved.[29]
Brazil, after launching its first national satellite using a foreign launcher in 1985, tried to launch
a satellite using its own VLS 1 launcher three times in 1997, 1999, and 2003, but all attempts
were unsuccessful.
North Korea claimed a launch of Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 and Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2 satellites in
1998 and 2009, but U.S., Russian and other officials and weapons experts later reported that
the rockets failed to send a satellite into orbit, if that was the goal. The United States, Japan
and South Korea believe this was actually a ballistic missile test, which was a claim also made
after North Korea's 1998 satellite launch, and later rejected.[30] The first (April 2012) launch of
Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 was unsuccessful, a fact publicly recognized by the DPRK. However, the
December 2012 launch of the "second version" of Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 was successful, putting
the DPRK's first confirmed satellite into orbit.
South Korea (Korea Aerospace Research Institute), after launching their first national satellite
by foreign launcher in 1992, unsuccessfully tried to launch its own launcher, the KSLV (Naro)-1,
(created with the assistance of Russia) in 2009 and 2010 until success was achieved in 2013
by Naro-3.
The First European multi-national state organization ELDO tried to make the orbital launches at
Europa I and Europa II rockets in 1968–1970 and 1971 but stopped operation after failures.
Other notes
^ Russia and Ukraine were parts of the Soviet Union and thus inherited their launch capability
without the need to develop it indigenously. Through the Soviet Union they are also on the
number one position in this list of accomplishments.
France, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine launched their first satellites by own launchers from
foreign spaceports.
Some countries such as South Africa, Spain, Italy, Germany, Canada, Australia, Argentina,
Egypt and private companies such as OTRAG, have developed their own launchers, but have
not had a successful launch.
Only twelve, countries from the list below (USSR, USA, France, Japan, China, UK, India,
Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Iran and North Korea) and one regional organization (the European
Space Agency, ESA) have independently launched satellites on their own indigenously
developed launch vehicles.
Several other countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Pakistan, Romania, Taiwan, Indonesia,
Australia, Malaysia, Turkey and Switzerland are at various stages of development of their own
small-scale launcher capabilities.

Launch capable private entities

Orbital Sciences Corporation launched a satellite into orbit on the Pegasus in 1990. SpaceX launched a
satellite into orbit on the Falcon 1 in 2008. Rocket Lab launched three cubesats into orbit on the Electron in
2018.

First satellites of countries

 First satellites of countries including those launched indigenously or with the help of others[31]
Operational payloads
Country Year of first launch First satellite
in orbit as of April 2020
Soviet Union 1957 Sputnik 1
1524
(Russia) (1992) (Kosmos 2175)
United States 1958 Explorer 1 1914
China 1970 Dong Fang Hong I 391
Japan 1970 Ohsumi 181
India 1975 Aryabhata 96
France 1965 Astérix 73
Germany 1969 Azur 67
Canada 1962 Alouette 1 54
United Kingdom 1962 Ariel 1 54
Italy 1964 San Marco 1 29
South Korea 1992 Kitsat A 23
Spain 1974 Intasat 27
Australia 1967 WRESAT 22
Brazil 1985 Brasilsat-A1 21

Argentina 1990 Lusat[32] 20

Israel 1988 Ofeq 1 20

Indonesia 1976 Palapa A1 18
Turkey 1994 Turksat 1B 13
Saudi Arabia 1985 Arabsat-1A 15
Mexico 1985 Morelos 1 13
Sweden 1986 Viking 11

Singapore 1998 ST-1[33][34] 11

Netherlands 1974 ANS 8

Czechoslovakia 1978 Magion 1 2
Bulgaria 1981 Intercosmos Bulgaria 1300 2
Luxembourg 1988 Astra 1A 4
Pakistan 1962 Rehbar-1 6
Portugal 1993 PoSAT-1 2
Thailand 1993 Thaicom 1 10
Czech Republic 1995 Magion 4 3
Ukraine 1995 Sich-1 6
Malaysia 1996 MEASAT 7
Norway 1997 Thor 2 9
Philippines 1997 Mabuhay 1 2
Egypt 1998 Nilesat 101 5
Chile 1998 FASat-Bravo 3
Republic of China (ROC) 1999 Formosat-1 15
Denmark 1999 Ørsted 9
South Africa 1999 SUNSAT 6
United Arab Emirates 2000 Thuraya 1 9
Morocco 2001 Maroc-Tubsat 1
Belgium 2001 PROBA-1 0

Tonga[35] 2002 Esiafi 1 (former Comstar D4) 0

Algeria 2002 Alsat 1 6

Greece 2003 Hellas Sat 2 4
Cyprus 2003 Hellas Sat 2 0
Nigeria 2003 Nigeriasat 1 6
Iran 2005 Sina-1 1
Kazakhstan 2006 KazSat 1 6
Colombia 2007 Libertad 1 0
Mauritius 2007 Rascom-QAF 1 0
Vietnam 2008 Vinasat-1 3
Venezuela 2008 Venesat-1 3

Switzerland 2009 SwissCube-1[36] 0

Isle of Man 2011 ViaSat-1 1

Poland[37] 2012 PW-Sat 4

Hungary 2012 MaSat-1 0

Sri Lanka 2012 SupremeSAT-I 1

Romania 2012 Goliat[38] 0

Belarus 2012 BKA (BelKA-2)[39] 2

North Korea 2012 Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 Unit 2 2

Azerbaijan 2013 Azerspace[40] 1

Austria 2013 TUGSAT-1/UniBRITE[41][42] 0

Bermuda[43] 2013 Bermudasat 1 (former EchoStar VI) 0

Ecuador 2013 NEE-01 Pegaso 2

Estonia 2013 ESTCube-1 1
Jersey 2013 O3b-1, −2, −3, −4 0
Qatar 2013 Es'hailSat1 0

Peru 2013 PUCPSAT-1[44] 2

Bolivia 2013 TKSat-1 1

Lithuania 2014 LituanicaSAT-1 and LitSat-1 1
Uruguay 2014 Antelsat 1
Iraq 2014 Tigrisat[45] 0
 Turkmenistan 2015 TurkmenAlem52E/MonacoSAT 1
Laos 2015 Laosat-1 1
Finland 2017 Aalto-2 1
Bangladesh 2017 BRAC Onnesha 2

Ghana 2017 GhanaSat-1[46] 1

Mongolia 2017 Mazaalai 1

Latvia 2017 Venta-1 1
Slovakia 2017 skCUBE 1
Asgardia 2017 Asgardia-1 1
Angola 2017 AngoSat 1 1
New Zealand 2018 Humanity Star 1
Bangladesh 2018 Bangabandhu-1 1
Costa Rica 2018 Proyecto Irazú 1
Kenya 2018 1KUNS-PF 1

Bhutan 2018 BHUTAN-1[47] 1

Jordan 2018 JY1-SAT 1

Nepal 2019 NepaliSat-1 1
Rwanda 2019 RWASat-1 1
Sudan 2019 SRSS-1 1
Ethiopia 2019 ETRSS-1 1
Guatemala 2020 Quetzal-1 1
Slovenia 2020 TRISAT/NEMO-HD 2
Monaco 2020 OSM-1 Cicero 1

While Canada was the third country to build a satellite

which was launched into space,[48] it was launched
aboard an American rocket from an American spaceport.
The same goes for Australia, who launched first satellite
involved a donated U.S. Redstone rocket and American
support staff as well as a joint launch facility with the
United Kingdom.[49] The first Italian satellite San Marco
1 launched on 15 December 1964 on a U.S. Scout rocket
from Wallops Island (Virginia, United States) with an orbital launch and satellite operation
Italian launch team trained by NASA.[50] By similar satellite operation, launched by foreign supplier
occasions, almost all further first national satellites was satellite in development
launched by foreign rockets. orbital launch project at advanced stage or
indigenous ballistic missiles deployed

Attempted first satellites

United States tried unsuccessfully to launch its first satellite in 1957; they were successful in
1958.
China tried unsuccessfully to launch its first satellite in 1969; they were successful in 1970.
 Iraq under Saddam Hussein fulfilled in 1989 an unconfirmed launch of warhead on orbit by
developed Iraqi vehicle that intended to put later the 75 kg first national satellite Al-Ta’ir, also
developed.[51][52]
Chile tried unsuccessfully in 1995 to launch its first satellite FASat-Alfa by foreign rocket; in
1998 they were successful.†
North Korea has tried in 1998, 2009, 2012 to launch satellites, first successful launch on 12
December 2012.[53]
Libya since 1996 developed its own national Libsat satellite project with the goal of providing
telecommunication and remote sensing services[54] that was postponed after the fall of
Gaddafi.
Belarus tried unsuccessfully in 2006 to launch its first satellite BelKA by foreign rocket.†

†-note: Both Chile and Belarus used Russian companies as principal contractors to build their satellites, they
used Russian-Ukrainian manufactured rockets and launched either from Russia or Kazakhstan.

Planned first satellites

Afghanistan announced in April 2012 that it is planning to launch its first communications
satellite to the orbital slot it has been awarded. The satellite Afghansat 1 was expected to be
obtained by a Eutelsat commercial company in 2014.[55][56]
Armenia in 2012 founded Armcosmos company[57] and announced an intention to have the first
telecommunication satellite ArmSat. The investments estimates as $250 million and country
selecting the contractor for building within 4 years the satellite amongst Russia, China and
Canada[58][59][60]
Cambodia's Royal Group plans to purchase for $250–350 million and launch in the beginning
of 2013 the telecommunication satellite.[61]
Cayman Islands's Global IP Cayman private company plans to launch GiSAT-1 geostationary
communications satellite in 2018.
Democratic Republic of Congo ordered at November 2012 in China (Academy of Space
Technology (CAST) and Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC)) the first telecommunication
satellite CongoSat-1 which will be built on DFH-4 satellite bus platform and will be launched in
China till the end of 2015.[62]
Croatia has a goal to construct a satellite by 2013–2014. Launch into Earth orbit would be done
by a foreign provider.[63]
Ireland's team of Dublin Institute of Technology intends to launch the first Irish satellite within
European University program CubeSat QB50.[64]
Republic of Moldova's first remote sensing satellite plans to start in 2013 by Space centre at
national Technical University.[65]
Myanmar plans to purchase for $200 million their own telecommunication satellite.[66]
Nicaragua ordered for $254 million at November 2013 in China the first telecommunication
satellite Nicasat-1 (to be built at DFH-4 satellite bus platform by CAST and CGWIC), that
planning to launch in China at 2016.[67]
Paraguay under new Agencia Espacial del Paraguay –- AEP airspace agency plans first Eart
observation satellite.[68][69]
Serbia's first satellite Tesla-1 was designed, developed and assembled by nongovernmental
organisations in 2009 but still remains unlaunched.
Sri Lanka has a goal to construct two satellites beside of rent the national SupremeSAT
payload in Chinese satellites. Sri Lankan Telecommunications Regulatory Commission has
 signed an agreement with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd to get relevant help and resources.
Launch into Earth orbit would be done by a foreign provider.[70][71]
Syrian Space Research Center developing CubeSat-like small first national satellite since
2008.[72]
Tunisia is developing its first satellite, ERPSat01. Consisting of a CubeSat of 1 kg mass, it will
be developed by the Sfax School of Engineering. ERPSat satellite is planned to be launched
into orbit in 2013.[73]
Uzbekistan's State Space Research Agency (UzbekCosmos) announced in 2001 about
intention of launch in 2002 first remote sensing satellite.[74] Later in 2004 was stated that two
satellites (remote sensing and telecommunication) will be built by Russia for $60–70 million
each[75]

Attacks on satellites
Since the mid-2000s, satellites have been hacked by militant organizations to broadcast propaganda and to
pilfer classified information from military communication networks.[76][77]

For testing purposes, satellites in low earth orbit have been destroyed by ballistic missiles launched from earth.
Russia, the United States, China and India have demonstrated the ability to eliminate satellites.[78] In 2007 the
Chinese military shot down an aging weather satellite,[78] followed by the US Navy shooting down a defunct
spy satellite in February 2008.[79] On 27 March 2019 India shot down a live test satellite at 300 km altitude in
3 minutes. India became the fourth country to have the capability to destroy live satellites.[80][81]

Jamming

Due to the low received signal strength of satellite transmissions, they are prone to jamming by land-based
transmitters. Such jamming is limited to the geographical area within the transmitter's range. GPS satellites are
potential targets for jamming,[82][83] but satellite phone and television signals have also been subjected to
jamming.[84][85]

Also, it is very easy to transmit a carrier radio signal to a geostationary satellite and thus interfere with the
legitimate uses of the satellite's transponder. It is common for Earth stations to transmit at the wrong time or on
the wrong frequency in commercial satellite space, and dual-illuminate the transponder, rendering the
frequency unusable. Satellite operators now have sophisticated monitoring that enables them to pinpoint the
source of any carrier and manage the transponder space effectively.

Earth observation
During the last five decades, space agencies have sent thousands of space crafts, space capsules, or satellites to
the universe. In fact, weather forecasters make predictions on the weather and natural calamities based on
observations from these satellites.[86]

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)[87] requested the National Academies to publish
a report entitled, Earth Observations from Space; The First 50 Years of Scientific Achievements in 2008. It
described how the capability to view the whole globe simultaneously from satellite observations revolutionized
studies about the planet Earth. This development brought about a new age of combined Earth sciences. The
National Academies report concluded that continuing Earth observations from the galaxy are necessary to
resolve scientific and social challenges in the future.[88]
NASA

The NASA introduced an Earth Observing System (EOS)[89] composed of several satellites, science
component, and data system described as the Earth Observing System Data and Information System
(EOSDIS). It disseminates numerous science data products as well as services designed for interdisciplinary
education. EOSDIS data can be accessed online and accessed through File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and Hyper
Text Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS).[90] Scientists and researchers perform EOSDIS science operations
within a distributed platform of multiple interconnected nodes or Science Investigator-led Processing Systems
(SIPS) and discipline-specific Distributed Active Archive Centers (DACCs).[91]

ESA

The European Space Agency[92] have been operating Earth Observation satellites since the launch of
Meteosat 1 in November 1977.[93] ESA currently has plans to launch a satellite equipped with an artificial
intelligence (AI) processor that will allow the spacecraft to make decisions on images to capture and data to
transmit to the Earth.[94] BrainSat will use the Intel Myriad X vision processing unit (VPU). The launching
will be scheduled in 2019. ESA director for Earth Observation Programs Josef Aschbacher made the
announcement during the PhiWeek in November 2018.[95] This is the five-day meet that focused on the future
of Earth observation. The conference was held at the ESA Center for Earth Observation in Frascati, Italy.[94]
ESA also launched the PhiLab, referring to the future-focused team that works to harness the potentials of AI
and other disruptive innovations.[96] Meanwhile, the ESA also announced that it expects to commence the
qualification flight of the Space Rider space plane in 2021. This will come after several demonstration
missions.[97] Space Rider is the sequel of the Agency's Intermediate Experimental vehicle (IXV) which was
launched in 2015. It has the capacity payload of 800 kilograms for orbital missions that will last a maximum of
two months.[98]

SpaceX

SpaceX was scheduled to launch a multiple satellite mission on 28 November 2018 from the United States
Vandenberg Air Force Base after an initial 19 November schedule. The launch is expected to be visible once
the rocket heads toward the south into an Earth observation trajectory traveling over the poles.[99] However,
the second supposed launched was delayed again because of poor weather conditions and the actual launch
occurred on 3 December 2018.[100] The mission is known as the SSO-A Smallsat Express was executed by
Spaceflight, a rideshare and mission management provider based in Seattle, Wash.[101] The launch was a
landmark for Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX which had 19 rocket launches in 2018 alone. The estimated cost
of this Falcon 9 rocket is approximately $62 million. The rocket has 60 satellites with each one going separate
ways.[102] On April 22, 2020, SpaceX launched their 7th constellation of 60 satellites, boosting the StarLink
constellation to a total of 420 satellites in low Earth orbit.[103]

Pollution and regulation

Generally liability has been covered by the Liability Convention. Issues like space debris, radio and light
pollution are increasing in magnitude and at the same time lack progress in national or international
regulation.[104] With future increase in numbers of satellite constellations, like SpaceX Starlink, it is feared
especially by the astronomical community, such as the IAU, that orbital pollution will increase
significantly.[105][106] A report from the SATCON1 workshop in 2020 concluded that the effects of large
satellite constellations can severely affect some astronomical research efforts and lists six ways to mitigate
harm to astronomy.[107][108] Some notable satellite failures that polluted and dispersed radioactive materials
are Kosmos 954, Kosmos 1402 and the Transit 5-BN-3.
Satellite services
Satellite crop monitoring
Satellite Internet access
Satellite navigation
Satellite phone
Satellite radio
Satellite television

See also
2009 satellite collision
Artificial moon
Artificial satellites in retrograde orbit
Atmospheric satellite
Crowdfunded satellites
Cubesat
Fractionated spacecraft
Imagery intelligence
International Designator
List of communications satellite firsts
List of Earth observation satellites
List of passive satellites
Rocket engine test facility
Satellite Catalog Number
Satellite formation flying
Satellite geolocation
Satellite watching
Space exploration
Space probe
Spaceport (including list of spaceports)
Satellites on stamps
USA-193 (2008 American anti-satellite missile test)

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External links
Satellite (https://curlie.org/Business/Telecommunications/Services/Wireless/Satellite/) at Curlie
Eyes in the Sky Free video by the Vega Science Trust and the BBC/OU (http://www.vega.org.u
k/video/programme/12) Satellites and their implications over the last 50 years.

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