communications satellite

American  

noun

1. an artificial earth satellite that facilitates communications, as radio, television, and telephone transmissions, by means of the reflection or the amplification and retransmission of signals between stations on earth or in space.

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communications satellite British  

noun

1. an artificial satellite used to relay radio, television, and telephone signals around the earth, usually in geostationary orbit

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Etymology

Origin of communications satellite

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

communications satellite

In 2009, an Iridium Communications satellite hit a nonfunctional Russian communications satellite, generating around 1,800 pieces of debris at least 10 centimeters in size.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 30, 2026

But the communications satellite was placed in a lower orbit than planned.

From Barron's ● Apr. 20, 2026

A communications satellite designed and built by embattled aerospace giant Boeing has broken up in orbit.

From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2024

Space Force recently canceled a multibillion-dollar program to develop a classified military communications satellite with the company after cost overruns, a schedule delay and development difficulties, according to Bloomberg.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 28, 2024

SpaceX, meanwhile, was contracted to launch Turksat 6A, Turkey's first domestically produced communications satellite — although the launch date has been delayed and the project now appears uncertain.

From Salon ● May 16, 2023