A satellite creates its own reference through use of spinning wheels. A spinning wheel has property that axis maintains it position due to centrifugal force as it spins. - This effect can also be seen in a spinning top. It maintains its upright position when it spins. - Slowing wheels down or speeding them up a bit is also used to change orientation of satellite, hence ensuring that antennas always point in direction of covered area on earth.

Heat Dissipation

Space is cold; its temperature is almost absolute zero. But objects in space can be hot, especially when close to a hot celestial body like sun. Our very existence depends on energy sun gives us. The same goes for satellites; their main source of energy is sun. A satellite heats up because it is exposed to sunlight. Also electronic equipment inside satellite generates heat.

On earth there are 3 ways to dissipate heat from a body. Through convection heat energy can be given to passing air which then transports heat away. Through conduction, which means heat is transferred to another body. Another possibility is through radiation.

A satellite has no other option than to use radiation to dissipate heat as there are no other bodies around and no air to cool them. It radiates heat energy through louvered panels, meaning that they do not face sun so that they don’t collect heat, but just radiate heat in direction of black space, which is very cold.

Cosmic Radiation and Micro meteor Protection

The earth is protected by its atmosphere from most cosmic radiation and small meteors. In space a satellite needs to have its own protection. Shielding of all electronic equipment is necessary, especially computer circuits which are so small that very low levels of radiation can already do damage. A satellite collides with very small meteors which damage solar panels and other equipment that is exposed to space.

Even though small meteors do not disable a satellite, it does have an impact on its life span. Solar panels will gradually produce less power because more and more solar sells will be disabled over time.

Another effect that radiation has is that materials can become brittle. This effect can also be seen in plastics that have been exposed to sunlight for a long time.

Over all a satellite has a hard time living in space. Even though Space seems to be just an empty whole of nothing, it actually is a very unfriendly environment full of invisible damaging radiation and tiny particles (meteors) that are dangerous because of their high speeds.

• EchoStars proposed self-regulation does not compensate for basic monopoly issues

In areas that are not served by DSL or cable, only alternative to broadband internet services is via satellite. The merger would create a monopoly for broadband internet services in these areas.