Satellite

High school (ages 12+)
Space & Astronomy

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/satellite

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the orbital mechanics?Satellites maintain orbit through a balance of forward velocity and gravitational force
2. What is the primary power source?Solar panels convert sunlight into electrical energy to power satellite operations
3. How did satellites start?Satellites began with Sputnik 1, launched in 1957, which showed that putting objects into orbit was possible and sparked the Space Race.
4. Why do satellites help with communication?Satellites in geostationary orbit can stay above the same spot, giving continuous coverage for TV, internet, and other services, especially where ground wires are hard to build.

Low Earth Orbit (LEO): An orbit relatively close to Earth, used for imaging, communication, and space stations.
Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO): An orbit where a satellite appears stationary over a fixed point on Earth's equator.
GNSS: Global Navigation Satellite System, a constellation of satellites providing positioning and timing data.
Remote Sensing: The acquisition of information about an object or phenomenon without making physical contact, typically using satellites.