Tagged: geostationary orbit

India a major player in Earth observation satellites - Out of Space

Duncan Steel • Oct 15, 2019 •

• Earth observation satellites,
• geostationary orbit,
• India,
• Indian Space Research Organisation,
• Low Earth orbit,
• Meteorological satellites,
• satellites

While many imagine that countries like the USA and Europe dominate space activities, in fact India is now a major player on this stage. It launches satellites for its own purposes and also commercially, and has constellations orbiting our planet and returning data of vital importance to that nation in many ways.  Yesterday I was really pleased to give a … Read More

Talking satellites and space in Washington - Out of Space

Duncan Steel • May 16, 2019 •

• commercial space business,
• communications,
• defence,
• geostationary orbit,
• launchers,
• Low Earth orbit,
• military,
• Orbital Imagery,
• remote sensing,
• rockets,
• satellite ground stations,
• satellites,
• space,
• space exploration

The annual beanfeast for the US satellite industry — featuring major participation from European nations and companies in particular — is the SATELLITE congress held at the Washington Convention Center, a few blocks from the White House. It was an amazing event to attend, compared to the sort of low-key conferences we have in New Zealand.  Now I’m back in … Read More

The invention of the geostationary communications satellite - Out of Space

Duncan Steel • Jan 18, 2019 •

• Arthur C. Clarke,
• communications,
• geostationary orbit,
• history of science,
• Orbits,
• radio,
• rockets,
• satellites,
• space,
• Television

The idea of satellites beaming radio communications around the globe was discussed by science-fiction author Arthur C. Clarke in 1945, though he imagined huge geostationary space stations permanently staffed by astronauts who would be needed to change the electronic valves in the onboard radio transmitters. We’ve not been able to watch live cricket matches from around the globe on … Read More