Exploring Satellites: Types, Purposes, and Technology

Natural Satellites

Moons that orbit planets, smaller than the planet.

Artificial Satellites

Man-made objects that orbit Earth or other bodies.

Sputnik

First artificial satellite launched by the Soviet Union in 1957.

Geosynchronous Orbit

Orbit matching Earth's rotation, takes 24 hours.

Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

Satellites located close to Earth for various purposes.

Weather Satellites

Used for imaging clouds and measuring weather conditions.

Global Positioning System (GPS)

Determines location using signals from at least three satellites.

Remote Sensing

Acquiring information from a distance using sensors.

Centrifugal Force

Force directing an object away from the center in circular motion.

Space Probes

Uncrewed spacecraft collecting scientific data in space.

Voyager Mission

Space probes studying distant planets and sending data back.

Mars Rover Perseverance

Robotic rover exploring Mars and conducting scientific research.

Starlink Satellites

Elon Musk's satellite constellation for global internet coverage.

Remote Sensors

Instruments detecting and recording energy from Earth.

Gravitational Force

Attraction between Earth and satellites keeping them in orbit.

Communication Satellites

Facilitate long-distance communication across continents.

Environmental Research

Using satellites to study Earth's environment and conditions.

International Space Station (ISS)

Habitable space station for research and international collaboration.

Media Communication

Includes news, entertainment, TV, and radio via satellites.

Asteroids and Comets

Celestial bodies studied by space probes for scientific insights.

Space Race

Competition between nations to achieve significant space exploration milestones.

Cold War

Geopolitical tension influencing early space exploration efforts.

Triangulation

Method using multiple satellites to determine precise location.

Orbital Mechanics

Study of the motion of objects in space under gravitational influence.