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Since the first satellites were launched in the late 1950's, they have grown and diversified like living organisms. They have begun to colonize a fantastic range of industries and 'ecological niches', which we now recognize as essentially indispensable to our modern way of life. On any given day, you read the weather report, use a cell phone, buy products and services with a credit - ATM card, find your position using GPS, or surf the Internet. Satellite technology seamlessly, and invisibly, encompasses many of our most common activities.
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Satellite Factoids....
The global satellite industry is worth $104.6 billion in 2004. [Reference]
There were 37 satellites launched into space in 2004. [Reference]
The heaviest communication satellite, Inmarsat 4F1, tips the scales at 13,138 pounds [Reference]
The most expensive unmanned satellite is the Hubble Space Telescope at $2.5 billion [Reference]
In 2004 there were eight satellites that burned-up in the atmosphere [Reference]
The longest living satelllite is the 28 year old AST-3 still in service in 2000 [Reference]
The most massive satellite launched: Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (15,713 kg) [Reference]
The most power-hungry satellite is NSS-8 requiring 14,000 watts [Reference]
In 2005, there were 3,102 TV programs being broadcast by satellites [Reference]
There are 500,000 VSAT satellite internet users worldwide. [Reference]
There are a total of 367 geosynch-orbit (GEO) satellites operating in space in 2004.[Reference]
Military satellites can see details on Earth's surface only 10-cm (3.9 inches) across.[Reference]