Introduction to Satellites and their Applications

This chapter briefly discusses the different stages of evolution of satellites and satellite launch vehicles, beginning with the days of hot air balloons and sounding rockets of the late 1940s/early 1950s to the contemporary status. The horizon of satellite applications has extended far beyond providing intercontinental communication services and satellite television. A large number of satellites were launched for meteorological studies, navigation, surveillance and Earth observation during the 1960s. The chapter shows the classification of satellites based on wet mass, the mass of the satellite including fuel. The technological advances in the field of satellites will be directed with an aim of reducing the cost and size of the satellites as well as improving the quality of the services provided. One of the main technological trends is to develop satellites with a longer mission life.