Definition of a satellite
An object that rotates about its axis
One object that orbits another
An object smaller than another object
An object that has an elliptical path
What of the following could be thought of a satellites?
The moon
Earth
The Sun
Venus
What is a geostationary orbit?
An orbit of a satellite that moves around the equator
An orbit of a satellite that moves from one pole to another
An orbit of a satellite that is fixed on one place above the equator
An orbit of the moon around the Earth
Why does a satellite in geostationary orbit seem to be fixed in one place?
It is not moving
Its speed matches the turning speed of the Earth
It is an optical illusion
They stay at the same height (altitude)
What is a Polar orbit?
An orbit that moves along the equator
An orbit that moves around the North pole
An orbit that moves around the South pole
An orbit that moves from one pole to another
What is an advantage of a satellite in geostationary orbit?
You can have your TV satellite dish fixed in one place and don't have to move it
You can map the whole of the Earth in one rotation
You can monitor the weather over all of the world
They take only 24 hours to make each orbit
What is an advantage of a satellite in a Polar orbit?
You can scan the whole of the Earth's surface in one orbit
They rotate at the same speed of the Earth
They orbit the equator
They can be used for TV and radio communications
What uses can you have for satellites?
Communications
GPS (Global positioning satellites)
Spying
Mapping the Earth
The Internet
Satellites at a lower orbit move slower than satellites in a higher orbit
The higher the orbit, the longer time it will take a satellite to rotate around the Earth
Why does a lower orbit satellite move faster than a higher orbit satellite?
The altitude is less
There is a greater gravitational pull
There is more friction to overcome
The weight of the satellite is more
