Did you happen to find a large 'rock' that can be picked up? If so, I think that is separate from the satellite crash site.
Did you check the PDA, Objectives list, or the communication consoles in the base, for possible coordinates where the satellite went down?
The satellite shouldn't be to hard to find if you get a clear line of sight to it, it is in a small impact crater if I remember right, and sort of sticks out against the otherwise reddish terrain.
I think the satellite has an item in (or next to) it that needs to be recovered.
Sorry if I am not of much help, I am a bit rusty since I have not played MC:C for a while.