Satellites can be classified by their function since they 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 role.
Below are the names of nine different types and Uses of satellites :
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