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Satellite TV Solution
Satellite television solves the problems of range
and distortion by transmitting broadcast signals from satellites
orbiting the Earth. Since satellites are high in the sky, there
are a lot more customers in the line of site. Satellite television
systems transmit and receive radio signals using specialized antennas
called satellite dishes.
The television satellites are all in geosynchronous orbit, meaning
that they stay in one place in the sky relative to the Earth. Each
satellite is launched into space at about 7,000 mph (11,000 kph),
reaching approximately 22,200 miles (35,700 km) above the Earth.
At this speed and altitude, the satellite will revolve around the
planet once every 24 hours -- the same period of time it takes the
Earth to make one full rotation. In other words, the satellite keeps
pace with our moving planet exactly. This way, you only have to
direct the dish at the satellite once, and from then on it picks
up the signal without adjustment, at least when everything works
right. (See How Satellites Work for more information on satellite
orbits.)
At the core, this is all there is to satellite television. But as
we'll see in the next section, there are several important steps
between the original programming source and your television.
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