J D McDorce
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join:2001-12-29
Westland, MI
| reply to Jeremy341
Re: They want reality?
Most satellites use a combination of solar arrays and batteries to provide power (RTGs haven't found their way into common commercial use  ). It is difficult to transmit without power... |
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Jeremy341
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localhost | I wasn't even thinking about the satellites up in space, since the sun couldn't be hitting the antennas on those. I was thinking about the ground-based satellite dishes, which actually do get affected by the sun. |
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BosstonesOwn
join:2002-12-15
Everett, MA
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| I think the ones out in space get affected by the sun as well. Since there was another news thread before about satellite bands and stuff I started reading up on it. It's a pretty neat subject.
A particular transponder could act up because of the way the sunlight hits it, knocking out that transponder for a couple seconds. Not for to long but it is possible.
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"It's always funny until someone gets hurt......and then it's absolutely friggin' hysterical!" |
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KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
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join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK
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| reply to Jeremy341
said by Jeremy341  :
I wasn't even thinking about the satellites up in space, since the sun couldn't be hitting the antennas on those. I was thinking about the ground-based satellite dishes, which actually do get affected by the sun.
ROFL. ROFL!
Um. Excuse me. They are in Space. How can the Sunlight NOT hit them? Satellites are bombarded with solar radiation. They are engineered to try and protect themselves from it...
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"Regulatory capitalism is when companies invest in lawyers, lobbyists, and politicians, instead of plant, people, and customer service." - former FCC Chairman William Kennard (A real FCC Chairman, unlike the current Corporate Spokesperson in the job!) |
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Jeremy341
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localhost | I said the antennas, not the whole satellite. Since the satellite's antennas are facing the Earth (duh), the sun is behind them. |
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KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
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join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK | Heh. Um... I see what you're saying, ---but---
The Earth *rotates*. At different times during the Earth's rotation, all sides of the Satellite will be hit with direct sunshine. |
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Jeremy341
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localhost
| Yes but the satellites are positioned over the equator, rotating along with the Earth, with their antennas pointed directly at the Earth. Since the Earth is in the way, it is impossible for the satellite to be hit with direct sunshine from the front.
At least that's the way I see it. If I'm missing something, by all means feel free to point it out. |
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KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
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join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK
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| These satellites orbit at about 22,000 miles above the Earth.
As the Earth rotates, we have the day and night cycle as the Sun's position is fixed. The Satellites also pass in and out of the Earth's shadow.
If you can picture the earth from space, and imagine you're up by the Satellite, as the sun "Dawns" around the side of the planet, the sunlight will indeed be striking the satellite on the side facing the Earth, albeit at a bit of an angle, but it will be direct sunlight.
As the Satellite orbits, and the Sun stays fixed, at different times sunlight will be striking the satellite from the front, the side, or from behind.
--
"Regulatory capitalism is when companies invest in lawyers, lobbyists, and politicians, instead of plant, people, and customer service." - former FCC Chairman William Kennard (A real FCC Chairman, unlike the current Corporate Spokesperson in the job!) |
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Jeremy341
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localhost | I think I understand now. Thanks for taking the time to clarify your points. |
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