Communications satellite. Computer illustration of a communications satellite in space orbiting the Earth. The Earth is blanketed in clouds which are coloured orange due to a sunrise; the sun is seen reflected in the satellite's solar cell array (top right). The satellite has two solar cell arrays to produce power, and a rounded dish antenna to receive and transmit communication signals. These satellites act as relay vehicles for radio signals. Communication satellites may have a high geostationary orbit or they may have a lower orbit as seen here. These satellites are used to relay telephone and fax messages, computer data, and to broadcast television signals.