Parts of a Satellite

Since different satellites perform different functions, they each have different equipment. However, there are some general categories of equipment that all satellites have. The payload on a satellite is the equipment that helps the satellite perform that purpose, whether it’s a camera meant to take pictures or a spectrometer meant to measure electromagnetic frequencies. For active remote carbon sensing, a spectrometer and laser would be the payload. For passive remote carbon sensing, a spectrometer would be the payload. For something that has nothing to do with carbon, a digital camera would be the payload, but visitors can choose to add any equipment to their satellite that they would like.

The rest of the satellite is what gets it into space, sustains it, and helps it communicate. This includes power supplies, communication devices, thermal controls and equipment to help it maneuver. All of these may vary depending on how long the satellite is meant to remain in space, how far away it is, what type of orbit it has and what functions it will perform.

The main body of a satellite is called the bus. This holds most of its equipment, protecting it from outer space. In this activity we add equipment to the outside of the bus instead of putting the equipment inside because we want the parts of the satellite to be visible as we decide what to add.


Next

---

Parts of a Satellite | Maneuvering | Power Supply | Thermal Controls | Communications Devices | OCO-2 and ASCENDS | NASA Missions

---