| The basic types of satellite system include | | | | GEO's circular paths. Its elliptical orbit allows a |
| geostationary (GEO), Low Earth Orbit (LEO), | | | | wider view of the Earth and maximizes the |
| Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Highly Elliptical Orbit | | | | amount of time each satellite spends in viewing |
| (HEO) satellites. There are also public and private | | | | populated areas. It therefore requires fewer |
| satellite systems such as Television Receive Only | | | | satellites than LEOs while providing an excellent line |
| (TVRO), Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS), Global | | | | of sight. |
| Positioning System (GPS), and | | | | TVRO (Television Receive-Only) and DBS (Direct |
| multibeam satellite operations. | | | | Broadcast Satellite) are satellite TV systems. |
| Geosynchronous satellites orbit the Earth on | | | | TVRO relies on unencrypted feeds transmitted |
| repeatedly regular points over time. Each GEO | | | | using open standards. They are also often |
| satellite is stationary over one spot above the | | | | referred to as C-Band Satellite TV, Big Dish TV, |
| equator and therefore does not need any | | | | or Big Ugly Dish (BUD). |
| tracking from receiving and transmitting antennas | | | | DBS works on higher frequencies. It is capable of |
| on the Earth. GEO satellites enable the coverage | | | | transmitting higher power signals. DBS was |
| of weather events. They are especially useful for | | | | primarily intended for home reception. This is why |
| monitoring severe local storms and tropical | | | | it is also known as Direct to Home satellite. |
| cyclones. They are best for television transmission | | | | DBS satellites are owned by satellite TV |
| and high-speed data transmission. | | | | providers. This means it is restricted to provide |
| Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite systems fly very | | | | free channels. |
| closely to the surface of the Earth, up to 1,500 | | | | A global positioning satellite system receives and |
| kilometres in altitude. They deliver more significant | | | | compares the signals from orbiting GPS satellites |
| voice quality over GEOs and transmit signals with | | | | to determine geographic location. Each satellite can |
| a small margin of delay. Some LEO systems are | | | | transmit its exact location with a timed reference |
| designed for satellite phones or global mobile | | | | signal which the GPS uses to determine the |
| personal communications systems. These can | | | | distance between satellites. The location can be |
| carry voice traffic among other data formats. | | | | marked by calculating the point at which all |
| Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite system | | | | distances cross. The information can be displayed |
| operate at about 10,000 kilometres above the | | | | in latitude or longitude format, or as a position on |
| Earth, making it lower than GEO orbits but higher | | | | a computer map. |
| than LEO orbits. They have a larger capacity than | | | | The multibeam satellite operation uses Spatial |
| LEOs. This enables them more flexibility in | | | | Division Multiple Access (SDMA) technology. This |
| satisfying shifting market demands for voice or | | | | allows a single satellite to simultaneously |
| data services. | | | | communicate to 2 different satellites using several |
| Highly-elliptical orbit (HEO) satellite systems orbit | | | | directional antennas. |
| the Earth in an elliptical path unlike the LEO's and | | | | |