Answer: Artificial satellites have made fast, wide-range communication possible across the whole world.
- Communication satellites placed in geostationary orbit receive signals from one place on the earth and transmit them to a very large area. A few satellites can cover the whole globe.
- Telecommunication: they are used for long-distance telephone calls, mobile networks, internet and video conferencing.
- Broadcasting: television and radio programmes (DTH) reach remote villages, hilly areas and islands.
- Weather forecasting and disaster warning: satellites (e.g. INSAT series) give information on cyclones, rainfall and floods and help to send timely warnings.
- Navigation: GPS and India's NavIC help in navigation of ships, aircraft and vehicles and in location-based services.
- Remote sensing and mapping: data about resources, land use, crops and forests is collected and shared.
- Education, health and banking: tele-education, telemedicine, ATMs and online banking depend on satellite links.
- Satellite communication is fast, reliable and not affected by distance or terrain. India's INSAT and GSAT satellites have been very important for its development.
