Well, my suggestion is that you could add a module to the satellite, somewhat similar to how you would add one to the power armour before launching it. Depending on the module, these satellites could act as upsized beacons, covering something like 3x3 chunks, and not being able to cross each others influence.
This is just some basic list of possible modules:
- ·Anti-pollution
- ·Laser platform potentially super OP, might need to have its energy transferred to it from a ground structure that is highly targeted by aliens. Or having it just be limited in how much it can fire and when it runs out it crashes back down to earth.
- ·Efficiency
- ·Solar collector Might give a bonus to solar panels below it, or transfer to a building
- ·Radar Reveals a very large area and scans unexplored chunks 3x3 at a time.
Post some suggestions yourself if you have any.
Pictures from Civilization Beyond Earth: