satellite
Body in orbit
A satellite is an object that orbits a larger celestial body—the moon is Earth's natural satellite.
More commonly, satellite refers to artificial objects launched into orbit: communications satellites, weather satellites, spy satellites.
By extension, satellite describes anything dependent on or subordinate to something larger: a satellite state, satellite offices, satellite campuses.
Satellite television and radio deliver signals via orbiting transmitters: We get two hundred channels on satellite.
Natural planetary satellite
- orbitCurved celestial path
- planetStar-orbiting spherical body
- asteroidSun-orbiting rocky mass
- cometIcy orbiting body
Europa · Titan · Ganymede · Io · Callisto · Phobos · Deimos · Charon
First orbital spacecraft
- ISSOrbiting multinational research facility
- HubbleRenowned astronomer's surname
- GPSSatellite-based location technology
- StarlinkSatellite internet constellation
geostationary · payload · antenna · transponder · thruster · propulsion · deployment · launch
Transmission to spacecraft
- downlinkSpacecraft-to-Earth transmission
- transponderSignal-activated transmitter
- bandwidthData transmission capacity
- frequencyRate of recurrence
microwave · transmission · relay · signal · telecommunications · Iridium · broadband · latency
Information-gathering before action
- spyCovert information gatherer
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- classifiedRestricted from disclosure
- militaryArmed forces collectively
observation · monitoring · tracking · radar · SIGINT · early-warning · defense
Satellite-based location technology
- GalileoRenaissance astronomer from Italy
- positioningArranging in specific locations
- trackingMonitoring location over time
- coordinatesLocation-specifying number pairs
geolocation · wayfinding · receiver · accuracy · triangulation · timing · ephemeris · almanac
NASA interstellar mission name
- PioneerAudio-visual equipment manufacturer
- CassiniSaturn mission namesake
- GalileoRenaissance astronomer from Italy
- JunoJupiter's divine consort
Curiosity · rover · probe · deep-space · flyby · mission · NASA · ESA
Food container or recipe
- receiverOne who accepts transmission
- antennaBroadcast signal receiver
- televisionBroadcast viewing device
- cableHeavy-duty woven line
pay-TV · HDTV · decoder · DirecTV · signal · channel · subscription · programming
One who supports another
- supporterOne who backs another
- subordinateOne lower in rank
- dependentRequiring outside support
- auxiliaryGiving additional support
peripheral · secondary · attendant · companion · offshoot · branch · affiliate · outpost
Fixed above one point
- geosynchronousOrbiting at planetary rotation speed
- polarOf extreme latitudes
- ellipticalOval-shaped or indirect
- inclinationDisposition toward something
altitude · period · apogee · perigee · decay · debris · conjunction · maneuver
Vivid descriptive language
- multispectralSpanning several wavelength ranges
- hyperspectralImaging beyond visible spectrum
- infraredHeat-bearing electromagnetic waves
- thermalPertaining to warmth
resolution · pixel · swath · revisit · monitoring · mapping · agriculture · forestry
moon
Natural planetary satellite
comet · Europa · Titan · Ganymede · Io · Callisto · Phobos · Deimos · Charon · Triton
Sputnik
First orbital spacecraft
- ISSOrbiting multinational research facility
- HubbleRenowned astronomer's surname
- GPSSatellite-based location technology
Starlink · geostationary · payload · antenna · transponder · thruster · propulsion · deployment · launch · booster
uplink
Transmission to spacecraft
- downlinkSpacecraft-to-Earth transmission
- transponderSignal-activated transmitter
- bandwidthData transmission capacity
frequency · microwave · transmission · relay · signal · telecommunications · Iridium · broadband · latency · coverage
reconnaissance
Information-gathering before action
- spyCovert information gatherer
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- classifiedRestricted from disclosure
military · observation · monitoring · tracking · radar · SIGINT · early-warning · defense
GPS
Satellite-based location technology
- GalileoRenaissance astronomer from Italy
- positioningArranging in specific locations
- trackingMonitoring location over time
coordinates · geolocation · wayfinding · receiver · accuracy · triangulation · timing · ephemeris · almanac
Voyager
NASA interstellar mission name
- PioneerAudio-visual equipment manufacturer
- CassiniSaturn mission namesake
- GalileoRenaissance astronomer from Italy
Juno · Curiosity · rover · probe · deep-space · flyby · mission · NASA · ESA · JPL
dish
Food container or recipe
- receiverOne who accepts transmission
- antennaBroadcast signal receiver
- televisionBroadcast viewing device
cable · pay-TV · HDTV · decoder · DirecTV · signal · channel · subscription · programming · installation
follower
One who supports another
- supporterOne who backs another
- subordinateOne lower in rank
- dependentRequiring outside support
auxiliary · peripheral · secondary · attendant · companion · offshoot · branch · affiliate · outpost · proxy
geostationary
Fixed above one point
- geosynchronousOrbiting at planetary rotation speed
- polarOf extreme latitudes
- ellipticalOval-shaped or indirect
inclination · altitude · period · apogee · perigee · decay · debris · conjunction · maneuver
imagery
Vivid descriptive language
- multispectralSpanning several wavelength ranges
- hyperspectralImaging beyond visible spectrum
- infraredHeat-bearing electromagnetic waves
thermal · resolution · pixel · swath · revisit · monitoring · mapping · agriculture · forestry · urban
- manmadebuilding, road, highway, bridge, canal
- night skystars, moon, constellations, shooting stars, constellation
- outer spacesun, moon, planet, star system, solar system
- televisionTV, television, broadcast, TV shows, TV series
- weather termssunny, rainy, cloudy, stormy, snowy
- communication methodsphone line, radio, telephone, television, text
satellitesuperpower
Dominant nation or magical ability
hegemon · imperial power · sovereign state · metropole · colonial power
- 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
satellite DNA, satellites, satellite dish, microsatellite, satellite TV, satellite imagery, satellite dishes, satellite phone, spy satellite