This is how satellites should've been implemented

[cooldude1128]

Perhaps you launch fuel up to the satellite every turn. When an enemy shoots down the satellite, they are actually just blowing up your refueling vessel as it tries to launch, and the satellite runs out of fuel.

Flying units maybe can't do it because your anti-air is on high alert while the refueling vessel is launched - a flying unit is too vulnerable to make it in, but a unit on the ground can take it out without being exposed.

This is interesting. The reason the satellite is such a constant drain on resources is because every turn you're dedicating that oil flow to the fueling.