| Satellites have been an intricate part of | | | | cable and DSL are unable to reach. Ships in the |
| communication since they first went into orbit in | | | | middle of the ocean, armies located in the desert, |
| the 1950s. The world of satellite technology has | | | | and research teams on high mountains are able to |
| come a long way since the days of The Soviet | | | | communicate and access internet because of |
| Union's Sputnik. America quickly followed with | | | | satellites in space. Through a 2-way |
| their own satellite system and soon a fierce | | | | communication, satellites are able to receive and |
| competition or "space race" ensued between the | | | | send data to the most remote locations on the |
| two world powers as to who could create the | | | | planet. Satellite communication was originally used |
| best satellite technology system. Thanks to | | | | for military purposes and spy techniques during |
| those tentative years, great advancements have | | | | the Cold War between the USSR and the United |
| been made in satellites leading to devices for | | | | States. Now, everyone can use satellites to |
| weather, satellite phone, satellite television, satellite | | | | communicate via satellite internet and satellite |
| internet, and satellite video which allows | | | | phone. |
| communication with people all over the world. | | | | Space exploration has been a great achievement |
| Functions of satellites include those for weather, | | | | for the human race in the last 50 years. The |
| communication, scientific research, and military | | | | space program has grown from a satellite called |
| purposes. The GOES Program uses | | | | Sputnik the size of a basketball to giant space |
| geostationary weather satellites to provide | | | | stations where people can live for months at a |
| information and observations about weather | | | | time. With satellite video repair work on |
| activity around the globe. It was launched and | | | | equipment in space can be completed from earth |
| created by NASA, and it is operated daily by | | | | as well as video conferencing with astronauts. |
| NOAA. Meteorologists use the information | | | | The world is not only connected to outer space |
| given by the GOES Program to make predictions | | | | but also to each other with satellite broadband. |
| regarding thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes, | | | | Countries and areas located in distant parts of the |
| floods, and snow storms. Recent years it has | | | | world can now feel included in the global |
| shown assistance with volcanic eruptions and | | | | marketplace. This will help empower |
| spreading forest fires. NASA and NOAA is able | | | | underdeveloped countries, in addition, give |
| to offer state of the art information about | | | | information to its people. Oppression of a |
| weather conditions thanks to satellites orbiting the | | | | population will be more difficult with access to the |
| Earth. | | | | internet. Information and education is a powerful |
| In addition to weather, satellite broadband allows | | | | weapon against poverty and oppression. |
| for dependable access to internet to most places | | | | Although space might have lost some of its lust |
| on Earth. Unlike other internet providers, | | | | for exploration, it is still a very important part of |
| satellites offer an service area including places | | | | everyday life for people around the world. |