Not many people are aware of how important satellite devices are to facilitating daily life as we know it. However, you can rest assured that life would be a lot different without them. What can satellites do? The short answer is transmitting signals, but there is more to it. That technology is just a foundation, and it constantly gets expanded upon. So, what are the uses of satellites in our daily lives? Allow us to take you through the ins and outs.
Satellites in Our Everyday Lives
Use of Satellites in Transactions
You might not have guessed it, but most of the time, when you are buying groceries in your local store, you are making use of a piece of metal in the sky. How does this correlate? Well, the business use of satellites relates to the global payment system. When you swipe your credit or debit card at the counter for checkout, it connects to your bank via satellite technology. It checks whether you have enough funds in your account, and if you do, the transaction gets the green light. All of this happens in mere seconds, yet the signal makes quite a journey. Such advanced technological solutions make it possible for small mom-and-pop shops in the middle of nowhere accept credit cards. Satellites also facilitate the working of wireless ATMs around the world.
Satellite Navigation
In the old days, people had to write out directions, hurdle maps with them, and be on the lookout for highway exits. In short, finding a new location you’ve never been to was a complete hassle. Nowadays, we type in a destination, and magically, a voice guides us to the right spot. That is the beauty of technology. GPS, also known as the Global Positioning System, plays a big part in this. While some navigation systems work with an internet connection, GPS is a lot more reliable. To use it, your phone prompts you to enable location services. Essentially, your location gets then sent out to the satellite network. The network instantly knows exactly where you are. From there, you can receive directions as to what your ideal route should look like. Satellite navigation systems are not only helpful for civilians, but they are of incredible importance for military operations. Ships and planes rely on it, especially when the weather conditions are rough.
Satellite TV
The younger generation might not quite know what those strange dishes are on the outside of some houses. These are satellite receivers. They are commonly used to receive TV signals which are broadcasted by satellites. Satellite TV is still quite popular, even though internet streaming is the it-thing right now. TV signals used to not be able to travel very far because they went in a straight line. That meant the signal would fall off into space because it could not follow the curvature of the earth.
Aside from that, tall objects could interfere with it. Once satellites were introduced, TV signals became a lot more stable and even reachable in far-off places. That is because the signal went up into the sky and out of the satellite back to wherever needed. It is not well known that satellites are still responsible for the smooth operation of cable and network TV. The central station broadcasts its signal to smaller stations via satellite technology. Then it gets broadcasted via cables or networks. Live broadcasts from a specific location, such as weather reports, still use a satellite signal to transmit their video and audio to the news station.
Using Satellites for Internet
Just like for TV signals, satellites can also transmit internet data. That is extremely helpful to people who live in remote locations because satellite internet is the only way they can connect to the world wide web. Satellite internet used to have a reputation for being pretty slow, but that is changing. Nowadays, it is possible to have high-speed, low-latency internet to any place in the world, except the polar regions. That is a significant game-changer for people who live in remote locations. It is a truly beautiful thing that our technology is advancing at such fast rates.
Satellite Use in Weather Forecasts
There are different kinds of satellites out there, depending on their purpose. Meteorologists use special weather satellites to monitor the changes in our atmosphere. There are two specific types of weather satellites, namely polar-orbiting and geostationary satellites. The former orbit the globe, whereas the latter stay in one place at all times. Thanks to the help of these devices, meteorologists can keep track of storm movements, cloud patterns, ocean currents, and lots more. They can even measure ozone levels, as well as carbon dioxide emissions. The next time you check the weather, you’ll know that it is possible because of the awesome satellites floating around far above our heads.
Rescue
Satellites are watching us around the clock. That is extremely important in search and rescue situations. Whenever aviators, mariners, mountain climbers, or recreational enthusiasts get into trouble, they can send out a distress signal. Once the signal gets sent out, authorities are immediately informed to start a rescue mission. Satellites essentially take the search out of search and rescue situations. The efficiency saves valuable time when it comes to finding a missing person. Satellites have saved many lives this way, and it is good to know that we have such means available to us. If you go on a potentially risky trip, be sure to bring a device that can send out distress signals.
We hope that you’ve come to appreciate how incredibly awesome satellite technology is. It makes our lives easier, safer, and more fun. It is wild to think that nowadays, one can play competitive online multiplayer games in the middle of the jungle, with minimal latency, yet here we are. All thanks to the wonders of satellite technology. Have you got any satellite services in your home? Would you consider getting such services? We would love to know your opinions. Please leave your comments in the section below!
