According to the guides I've seen, and Amazon recommendations (and yes, I agree that's a tenuous slope to start down), the main kit folks are buying is this one (no referral):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011HVUEME
Agree that just like in Step 1, there is a certain amount of figuring out what hardware you have and need. I was loathe to recommend a particular offering since most of these change over time, and I honestly only have experience with this one package (so far).
I am open to suggestions on how to write "Step 0" :-)
Many government satellites like the USA-owned NOAA weather satellites transmit data bursts that can be decoded as images. Visit the RTL-SDR blog for more examples of things you can do. I'm linking a tutorial/example of the NOAA weather satellite images below.
https://www.rtl-sdr.com/rtl-sdr-tutorial-receiving-noaa-weather-satellite-images/
Edit: Here's the link to the RTLSDR kit I was referring to. https://www.amazon.com/RTL-SDR-Blog-RTL2832U-Software-Defined/dp/B011HVUEME/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=rtl+sdr&qid=1625418582&sr=8-3
The NESDR mini is not bad (what I have) but the monopole (stick) antenna it comes with is trash for anything except FM radio. You can also buy some material to make your own antenna as well which might be fun. The RTL SDR blog has some info on making different antennas for relatively cheap depending on what needs or project you're trying to do.
The satellites have two channels, infrared and near infrared at night or infrared and visible during the day. There's software enhancements that use telemetry data to get false color or weather overlays from the data the satellite gave you.
You can see some example images uploaded automatically 6 times per day (depending on satellite trajectory) on my Twitter which you can find here.
I started with this guide which should give you the basic idea but some software stuff is outdated. I have all the right versions of software on my computer so please tell me if you'd like for me to send them to you. I'd love to help someone else get into this.
While any piece of wire can theoretically hear them it's best to use one of the three types of antennas on the guide I linked earlier. I'm personally using a V Dipole that I made myself and it's mounted a meter above the ground to use the Earth as its reflector. The RTL-SDR v3 has a kit that comes with a telescopic dipole kit that can be configured as a V Dipole and that's what I would recommend using to get the hang of it. You can find the kit on Amazon here. I would definitely recommend replacing it later though and you will need a tripod or pole to stick it to. The kit is only $10 more than the SDR itself but if you know you're going to want to make your own V Dipole you can spend that on a terminal block and about 48in of thicker copper wire, you'll obviously need some coax too but RG 6 for TV works fine. I would really recommend getting the hang of the software side with the kit if you're not experienced with antenna building.
Again, if you have any questions or need help please PM me. I primarily use Discord but you can also get to me through my Twitter and if you don't have either Reddit would be fine.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N03WKDV
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011HVUEME
Can't comment on the IR camera