Unit E Section 2.3

Question 1

What are satellites sometimes called?

Answer 1

“artificial satellites”

Question 2

What are satellites?

Answer 2

are objects that are built and sent into Earth’s orbit by humans

Question 3

What is a natural satellite?

Answer 3

A “natural” satellite refers to any small body that orbits a larger body, such as a moon orbiting a planet.

Question 4

What do satellites do?

Answer 4

They transmit the information they receive to ground stations by radio waves

Question 5

What are the functions of satellites?

Answer 5

help us communicate, 
observe and forecast weather, 
predict magnetic storms, 
even find our location on the planet
Allow us to watch tv and phone calls

Question 6

What happens when the information from the satellite is sent to the ground stations?

Answer 6

The information received as signals, must be decoded and then transmitted to the user through communication networks

Question 7

How did people communicate before satellites?

Answer 7

-telegraph and telephone communication across the North American continent traveled through wires.

-Cable connections needed to be physically in
place in order for one person to talk with another.

This was a difficult and expensive process

Question 8

What is a geosynchronous orbit?

Answer 8

• the satellite moves at the same rate as Earth spins.

- In this way, the satellite can observe the same area at all times.

Question 9

Which system uses geosynchronous orbit?

Answer 9

Weather satellites are designed to stay in one position above Earth.

Question 10

What are the two Canadian satellites?

Answer 10

LANDSAT and RADARSAT

Question 11

What are the functions of LANDSAT and RADARSAT?

Answer 11

used to follow ships at sea, 
monitor soil quality, 
track forest fires, 
report on environmental change, 
Search for natural resources

Question 12

Are LANDSAT and RADARSAT geosynchronous?

Answer 12

These satellites are not in geosynchronous orbit.

Question 13

What is the main purpose of satellites in low Earth orbit?

Answer 13

is to carry out remote sensing.

Question 14

What is remote sensing?

Answer 14

Remote sensing is a process in which imaging devices in a satellite make observations of the Earth’s surface
and send this information back to Earth.

Question 15

How is data collected by remote sensing?

Answer 15

data collected from the sensing of heat and other invisible energy waves

Question 16

Remote sensing can provide information on:

Answer 16

the condition of the environment on Earth,
natural resources,
effects of urbanization.

This information is used for planning

Question 17

What does GPS stand for?

Answer 17

The Global Positioning System

Question 18

What is the function of GPS?

Answer 18

to give people, wherever they are, their location on the ground at any time.

Question 19

How many GPS satellites are around Earth?

Answer 19

Twenty-four GPS satellites are in orbit around Earth

Question 20

How many GPS satellites are needed to find the person’s position or location?

Answer 20

at least three

Question 21

How are Radio signals from the satellites received?

Answer 21

-picked up by a hand-held receiver
-The signals are translated by a computer in the
receiver, which then shows on a digital display the operator’s position in relation to the satellites.

Question 22

Computer technology Space Use:

Answer 22

• Structural analysis of spacecraft
• Monitoring of air quality aboard spacecraft
• Simulation of space environment for training

Question 23

Consumer technology Space Use:

Answer 23

• Design of space food for astronauts on long flights

* Study of aerodynamics and insulation

Question 24

Medical and health technology Space Use:

Answer 24

• Design of electronics for the Hubble Space Telescope
• Development of slow-release medication to control
motion sickness
• Design of microcircuitry for electronics
• Development of communications and robotic systems

Question 25

Industrial technology Space Use:

Answer 25

• Development of microlasers for communication

Question 26

Transportation technology Space Use:

Answer 26

• Development of parachute material for the Viking space mission

Question 27

Public safety technology Space Use:

Answer 27

• Development of computer robotics

Question 28

Computer technology Earth Use:

Answer 28

• Use of microelectronics in appliances and office
equipment
• Structural analysis of buildings, bridges, etc.
• Analysis of smokestack emissions
• Development of virtual reality software

Question 29

Consumer technology Earth Use

Answer 29

• Manufacture of enriched baby and freeze-dried foods

* Design and manufacture of improved bike helmets, golf balls, running shoes, and ski goggles

Question 30

Medical and health technology Earth Use:

Answer 30

Development of digital imaging for the detection and treatment of breast cancer
• Manufacture of motion sickness medications
• Development of a human tissue stimulator to control
chronic pain
• Development of voice-controlled wheelchairs

Question 31

Industrial technology Earth Use:

Answer 31

• Application of microlasers for communication, and

to cut and melt materials

Question 32

Transportation technology Earth Use:

Answer 32

• Improvement of traction on car winter tires

Question 33

Public safety technology Earth Use;

Answer 33

• Design of emergency response robots for use in
situations too dangerous for humans (e.g., to inspect
explosive devices)