The impact of artificial satellites on our lives is far-reaching. They have improved telephone and internet services, navigation and broadcasting, weather forecasting, medical assistance, humanitarian aid and much more.
In April 2008, the UK-built GIOVE-B satellite was launched as part of Europe's Galileo satellite navigation system. GIOVE-B carried on board the most accurate atomic clock ever flown in space. Together with GIOVE-A, it is a technology demonstration mission for the future Galileo system.
Satellites are also the bedrock of the UK space industry. Our engineers are among the world's foremost designers and builders of satellites and scientists have earned a reputation for expertise in space instrumentation.
As a result of this expertise, companies have devised new services and facilities that use the increasingly advanced satellites we send into space.
This section provides an overview of satellite technology " what exactly is a satellite, how do satellites get into space, and what do they do when they get there?
For more information about how satellites benefit our everyday lives, visit the Our Planet section of our site.
