| A communications satellite is an artificial satellite | | | | is a device that transforms or encodes the |
| stationed in space for the purposes of | | | | message into a physical phenomenon known as |
| telecommunications. Satellite systems deliver data | | | | the signal. The transmission medium, by its |
| from a satellite to a consumer. Telecommunication | | | | physical nature, is likely to modify or degrade the |
| using satellite systems find applications in radio, | | | | signal on its path from the transmitter to the |
| telegraphy, television, telephone, data | | | | receiver. The receiver has a decoding mechanism |
| communication and computer networking. | | | | capable of recovering the message within certain |
| The first satellite television signal was relayed | | | | limits of signal degradation. |
| from Europe to the Telstar satellite over North | | | | There are three primary types of satellite |
| America in 1962. The first geosynchronous | | | | television usage namely reception direct by the |
| communication satellite, Syncom 2 was launched in | | | | viewer, reception by local television affiliates or |
| 1963. The world's first commercial communication | | | | reception by head ends for distribution across |
| satellite, called Early Bird, was launched into | | | | terrestrial cable systems. Direct to the viewer |
| synchronous orbit on April 6, 1965. | | | | reception includes direct broadcast satellite or DBS |
| Satellites used for conveying television signals are | | | | and television receive-only or TVRO, both of |
| usually in an elliptical or geo-stationary orbit, | | | | which are used for homes and businesses including |
| 37,000 km (22,300 miles) above the earth's | | | | hotels. |
| equator. Satellite television, just as any other | | | | Satellite television system has revolutionized the |
| communication relayed by satellite, requires a | | | | medium of television and it's access to the |
| transmittal antenna located at an uplink facility. | | | | customer. In many parts of the world, satellite |
| A telecommunication system comprises of a | | | | television services supplement older terrestrial |
| transmitter, a medium and a channel imposed | | | | signals, providing a wider range of channels and |
| upon the medium and a receiver. The transmitter | | | | services, including subscription-only services. |