Satellite

Definition

A satellite is an object that orbits a planet or another celestial body. Satellites can be natural, like moons, or artificial, like spacecraft launched from Earth.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Satellites stay in orbit due to the balance between gravitational pull and their forward momentum.
2. The first artificial satellite was Sputnik 1, launched by the Soviet Union in 1957.
3. Geostationary satellites orbit at an altitude of approximately 35,786 kilometers above Earth's equator.
4. Natural satellites, such as moons, are formed through processes like accretion or capture.
5. The International Space Station (ISS) is an example of a manned artificial satellite.

Review Questions

• What keeps a satellite in orbit?
• Name the first artificial satellite launched into space.
• At what altitude do geostationary satellites typically orbit?

Related terms

Orbit: The curved path of a celestial object around a star, planet, or moon.

Gravitational Pull: The force by which a planet or other body draws objects toward its center.

Spacecraft:

A vehicle designed for travel or operation in outer space.