Keep in Touch: Communications and Satellites
A communications satellite in orbit.Copyright U.S. Department of State http://www.state.gov/e/eb/cip/
How do we communicate with each other? How do we communicate with people who are close by? How do we communicate with people who are far away? In this lesson, students explore the role of communications and how satellites help people communicate with others far away and in remote areas with nothing around—that is, no obvious telecommunications equipment. Students learn about how engineers design satellites to benefit life on Earth. They are also introduced to the theme of the Rockets unit.
Satellites have been used for years for various purposes including scientific research, weather reporting, communications, navigation and even for observing Earth. Engineers have played a key role in designing these satellites, getting them into orbit, and using the information they relay back to Earth. Communicating with people has always been an important part of human existence. As people live further away from each other, and as they explore more and more remote regions, communication with each other becomes even more important.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- List several different types of satellites that have been designed by engineers.
- Describe how a satellite phone receives and transmits signals for communication.
- Explain the concept of an orbit and give examples of several things that orbit.