Satellite
Moon, for example
A satellite is an object that orbits a larger body in space.
The moon is Earth's natural satellite; artificial satellites are spacecraft launched into orbit for communication, navigation, weather monitoring, or surveillance.
The word extends to anything that depends on or revolves around something more central: satellite states of a superpower, satellite offices of a corporation.
In anatomy, satellite cells cluster around neurons.
As an adjective, satellite describes secondary or dependent status: satellite radio, satellite campus.
One lower in rank
- peripheralExternal computer add-on
- dependentRequiring outside support
- auxiliaryGiving additional support
- secondaryLesser in rank
follower · offshoot · branch · affiliate · companion · attendant · hanger-on · sidekick
Natural planetary satellite
- naturalNot artificially produced
- TitanMythic giant or moon
- EuropaGalilean moon with subsurface ocean
- GanymedeJupiter's largest natural satellite
Io · Phobos · Callisto · Triton · Enceladus · Charon · crater · tidal
Curved celestial path
- spacecraftVehicle for outer space
- ISSOrbiting multinational research facility
- SputnikFirst orbital spacecraft
- launchSet into motion
antenna · solar panel · telemetry · geostationary · payload · rocket · NASA · communication
Element of a system
- hardwareMetal goods and fittings
- miniatureReduced-scale representation
- CubeSatMiniature standardized spacecraft unit
- nanosatelliteLightweight orbiting spacecraft
microsatellite · array · sensor · gyroscope · thruster · battery · circuit · onboard
Diagram of correspondences
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
- remote sensingGathering data without contact
- aerialElevated, or signal-catcher
photography · resolution · terrain · weather · monitoring · observation · infrared · radar
subordinate
One lower in rank
- peripheralExternal computer add-on
- dependentRequiring outside support
- auxiliaryGiving additional support
secondary · follower · offshoot · branch · affiliate · companion · attendant · hanger-on · sidekick · vassal
moon
Natural planetary satellite
Ganymede · Io · Phobos · Callisto · Triton · Enceladus · Charon · crater · tidal · gravitational
orbit
Curved celestial path
- spacecraftVehicle for outer space
- ISSOrbiting multinational research facility
- SputnikFirst orbital spacecraft
launch · antenna · solar panel · telemetry · geostationary · payload · rocket · NASA · communication · tracking
component
Element of a system
- hardwareMetal goods and fittings
- miniatureReduced-scale representation
- CubeSatMiniature standardized spacecraft unit
nanosatellite · microsatellite · array · sensor · gyroscope · thruster · battery · circuit · onboard · processor
mapping
Diagram of correspondences
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
- remote sensingGathering data without contact
aerial · photography · resolution · terrain · weather · monitoring · observation · infrared · radar · topography
broadcasting
Mass signal transmission
transponder · uplink · downlink · bandwidth · cable · television · GPS · internet · Starlink · relay
Satelliteplanet
Star-orbiting spherical body
parent body · star · sun · barycenter · primary
Satellitesuperpower
Dominant nation or magical ability
hegemon · imperial power · sovereign nation · sovereign state · mother country
Satelliteterrestrial
Relating to land
ground-based · landline · cable · fiber optic · wired
- satellite dishConcave aerial receiving transmissions
- satellite dishesCurved receivers for orbital signals
- satellite TVTelevision via orbiting transmitter
- satellite dataInformation collected from space
- satellite imagesPhotos captured from orbit
- artificial satellitesManufactured objects in orbit