Communications satellite

An artificial satellite that relays or processes signals to support communication across large distances. It can connect locations beyond the reach of terrestrial networks.

Geostationary orbit: A circular equatorial orbit in which a satellite appears stationary above one point on Earth. This orbit lets one satellite maintain continuous coverage of a broad region.
Satellite television: Television delivery from orbiting satellites to receiving dishes or distribution networks. Broadcast satellites send the same programming to widely dispersed homes.
Arthur C. Clarke: A British science-fiction writer and futurist who described global communication satellites in 1945. His proposal for three satellites in geostationary orbit anticipated a global relay network.
Submarine communications cable: A cable laid on or beneath the seabed to carry telecommunications between countries and continents. Submarine cables carry most intercontinental data, while satellites offer reach without a continuous undersea route.
Intelsat: An international organization and later company that provides satellite communications services worldwide. Its network helped establish routine global telephone, television, and data connections.
Low Earth orbit: An orbit around Earth at altitudes below roughly 2,000 kilometers. Low-orbit constellations reduce signal delay but require many moving satellites for continuous coverage.
Satellite internet: Internet access provided through communication links between users, satellites, and terrestrial gateways. It serves places where wired broadband and cellular networks are unavailable or limited.
Project SCORE: A 1958 American satellite mission that demonstrated store-and-forward voice communication from orbit. It was the first satellite to relay a human voice message around the world.
Terrestrial microwave network: A ground-based communications system that relays radio signals between fixed stations, often using line-of-sight links. Microwave links can serve regional routes with lower delay where towers and clear paths are available.
Inmarsat: A satellite communications organization founded to provide reliable services to ships and later other mobile users. Its systems extended voice and data links to maritime and remote users.

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