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SATELLITE BASICS

Explore what makes up a satellite, the different types of satellites, and their functions.

Design a Satellite

Learn about the various satellite components and how they operate by testing different satellite subsystems and then designing your own working satellite. First, stop at several workstations, each one featuring a different satellite subsystem (imaging camera, solar panel, infrared heat sensor, communications transmitter, magnetometer and radar distancing sensor). Test each component to learn how it works and what its function is. Next, at the satellite workstation, design a custom satellite so that it performs tasks of your choice, utilizing the same subsystems you just tested. Actual solar panels are used to help “power” your subsystems. You can test the satellite’s overall performance at the central “testing facility” as you transmit data such as video images, infrared images, magnetic field data, and other telemetry to the “testing facility” workstation.

Mission Kiosk

Delve into different EOS missions by selecting from a menu of three short videos which highlight a global issue currently studied by scientists via satellite.

  • The first video focuses on the recently discovered holes in the ozone layer, as well as the ozone itself, and features the Total Ozone Mapping Satellite (TOMS).
  • The second video discusses the issues related to urban growth. Utilizing images taken by the LandSAT series of satellites, NASA scientists combine images of urban growth from around the country and the world with other climatological data to determine how rapid urbanization is affecting the surrounding climate and environment.
  • The third video examines the extensive system of satellites NASA uses to track and predict weather. You’ve probably seen images from these satellites on a television news weather report, but you may not be so familiar with the satellites involved in gathering that information. Data from the east and west Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES), which are constantly monitoring weather around the globe, is combined with data from a host of other satellites and various other ground-based monitoring stations. This information is sent to weather stations around the country and analyzed by meteorologists to assist them in forecasting weather and predicting the magnitude and locations of storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other catastrophic weather events.

Satellite Puzzles

Younger visitors can sit on a solar panel and work on their own satellite! At one of two stylized satellite workstations, they can put together a layered, custom-built satellite puzzle.

  • The first puzzle showcases some of the major satellites used by NASA to observe the Earth. The top layer has a view of the Earth from space, surrounded by six large satellites. Each piece that is taken away reveals the satellite’s name and shows how that satellite views the Earth. From infrared, to ultra-violet, to radar altimetry, each piece will uncover a new and vibrant image of our Earth as taken from space. The satellites featured in this exhibit are the EOS satellite, NOAA satellite, Jason-1 satellite, GOES satellite, SeaWinds satellite, and TOPEX satellite.
  • The second puzzle features the Jason-1 satellite, the second satellite to be launched in the highly successful TOPEX/Poseidon mission that measures ocean surface topography. On the top layer, you will see the Jason-1 satellite floating in space. Pull back the pieces to see the satellite’s interior!

 

Eyes On Earth is produced and developed by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), funded by NASA and sponsored locally by Lockheed Martin and The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD).