Satellites can be classified by their functions. Satellites are launched into space to do a specific job. The type of satellite that is launched to monitor cloud patterns for a weather station will be different than a satellite launched to send television signals across Canada. The satellite must be designed specifically to fulfill its function.

Below are the names of nine different types of satellites. There are also nine pictures of satellites. Each picture is an example of one type of satellite. You can click either on the picture or on the name to learn more about that type of satellite, and its example.

Astronomy satellites - Hubble Space Telescope

Atmospheric Studies satellites - Polar

Communications satellites - Anik E

Navigation satellites - Navstar

Reconaissance satellites - Kennan, Big Bird, Lacrosse

Remote Sensing satellites - Radarsat

Search and Rescue satellites - Cospas-Sarsat

Space Exploration satellites - Galileo

Weather satellites - Meteosat