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What causes a satellite to stay in orbit rather than falling towards earth?
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Its forward motion. Please understand that something in orbit IS falling towards Earth.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
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What is the moon a planet or something?
The moon is a moon, also known as a natural satellite. It is not considered a planet as it orbits a planet (Earth) rather than the sun.
Are the moon and sun considered planets?
No. The sun is a star. The moon is a moon, also called a natural satellite, as it orbits Earth rather than the sun.
Why is Pluto classified as a dwarf planet rather than a satellite of Neptune?
It's not in orbit around Neptune, it's in direct orbit around the sun, so is not a satellite or moon of Neptune. Although it their gravitational pulls effect each other, Pluto does not go round and round Neptune.
How is a satellite placed in orbit and why it retains its position in space?
This can vary depending on the function of the satellite. In general, the satellite is launched by unmanned rockets or from the space shuttle payload bay at the correct altitude. After the satellite is released from the launch vehicle, the speed of a satellite is adjusted so that the rate at which it is being pulled back toward the earth is the same as the rate at which the earth is turning underneath it. So it is continually falling but not hitting the earth. This is what is also happening to the space shuttle when in earth orbit and the ISS. Satellites in geostationary orbit - where they appear to remain over a single point on the earth - must have a circular orbit for this to occur. That is why they are placed over the equator. Any other orbit is elliptical in shape. The problem that arises is that the earth is not perfectly round, even at the equator, and so the orbit of geostationary satellites must be adjusted every two weeks to compensate for this. The engines are remotely fired for the correct amount of time. When the fuel runs out, this can no longer be done. Orbital mechanics is a complex and detailed concept to understand. See some of the Web Links to the left.
What type of satellite orbits the Earth at the same rate and in the same direction as the planet?
A Geosynchronous or Geostationary satellite. The orbit period of a satellite will be longer the further it is away from the planet, so these have to be quite far away to match the rotation period of the earth. They orbit the earth once every 24 hours, so stay in the same apparent position when 'seen' from earth. This means that satellite dishes receiving signals from it can remain still, pointing in one direction rather than having to track it across the sky - a big advantage.
What causes satellite to stay in orbit rather than falling towards earth?
Its forward motion. Please understand that something in orbit IS falling towards Earth.
Is it correct to say that satellites stay in orbit rather than falling to Earth because they are beyond the pool of Earth's gravity?
No. Satellites ARE falling. But they are also moving "sideways", and so quickly that by the time the satellite has fallen to the Earth, the satellite has continued AROUND the Earth, and missed!
What role did a satellite play in the beginning of the space race?
It showed that orbiting the Earth was feasible, a vital step towards escaping Earth's gravity. (I've assumed that you mean a man-made satellite, rather than our Moon, which is also a satellite of the Earth.)
How is a satellite's orbit like a falling basketball?
Because it is falling. Really. We call it "free fall" rather than "weightlessness", because things in space still have weight; it's just that when we're falling, we don't FEEL the weight. We only feel it when we are RESISTING the weight, such as standing on the Earth, or sitting or standing. Make a parachute jump, and before you open your parachute you won't be "weightless", but you WILL be in "free fall". So what's the difference between a satellite and a basketball? The ball isn't going very fast, and it will hit the ground - and bounce. A satellite is moving SIDEWAYS so fast that by the time it has fallen, the satellite has already missed the Earth. And it KEEPS moving so fast that the satellite KEEPS MISSING! This happens because there is no (or very little) air in space, so there is nothing to cause the satellite to slow down. The lowest practical orbits are about 120 miles up; much lower, and the satellite will encounter some tiny trace of air resistance, which will begin to slow the satellite down and cause it to fall to Earth. At that altitude, the orbital velocity is about 18,000 miles per hour.
What is the name of the second satellite?
The name of the second satellite can vary depending on the context. It could be any specific satellite's name, such as "Hubble Space Telescope," "GPS satellite," or "ISS (International Space Station) satellite."
A satellite is projectile that falls ot of earth rather than into earth?
Satellites are in constant free-fall. This simply means they are constantly being accelerated by earth's gravity. However, an orbiting satellite's lateral motion is sufficient that the acceleration caused by the earth's gravity causes it to continually circle the earth, instead of crashing to the ground.
What is a satellite phone?
A satellite phone is a mobile phone that connect to an satellite in orbit rather than a cell tower. These types of phones are commonly used by military serving overseas because they can get a signal all over the Earth.
Would it be better to have a sky viewing card rather than a satellite receiver?
Depending on where you live, a Sky Viewing card may be better than a satellite receiver. A Sky Viewing card allows you access to certain channels, as does a satellite receiver.
Is spaghetti a lipid?
No, but in a rather simplified answer: lipids are towards fatty ingredients, while spaghetti is towards starch and flour.
What can a natural satellite be?
Any satellite that is NOT placed into orbit by humans (or, potentially, aliens).Basically, our Moon - and the moons that orbit other planets.
How can you find live satellite images in Google Earth?
To find google earth images, you need to go to google first and click on the satellite tab that will show you the views from a satellite rather than the street view or the walking view.
how do satellite phone work,is the network very good.?
Satellite phones work by using satellites in orbit as the transmission center, rather than cell phone towers. They work well anywhere in the world, but they are expensive.
