Satellite Orbits

Watch the video to the left. Imagine you are holding the satellite above Earth.

What do you think will happen if you let go?

The satellite falls straight down. This happens because of gravity.

This time, give the satellite a push in the direction shown by the red arrow.

The satellite still crashes into Earth. However, it now moves partway around the surface instead of falling straight down.

If you pushed harder, the satellite would travel even further before it crashed.

Now give the satellite a very large push, shown by the bigger red arrow.

Gravity is still pulling the satellite downward. However, the strong sideways push stops it from getting closer to Earth.

The satellite keeps moving around Earth forever. This means it is in orbit.