This was a great achivement in Amateur Radio, ever since the first Amateur Radio satellite was launched, many countries around the world where in action to hear and learn about up comming future satellites. Click on the links below. Explorer 1 - Launch Rocket. Explorer 1 - Satellite. Basic Satellite Elements.
All artificial satellites have certain features in common.
They include radar for altitude measurements, sensors such as optical devices in observation satellites, receivers and transmitters in communications satellites, and stable radio-signal sources in navigation satellites. Solar cells generate power from the Sun, and storage batteries are used for the periods when the satellite is blocked from the Sun by the Earth. These batteries in turn are recharged by the solar cells. In special cases, nuclear power sources are utilized. Attitude-control equipment is needed to keep the satellite in its desired orbit and, in some cases, to point the antennas or sensors properly.