That motion is called momentum. But how does the satellite stay in orbit? Not quite. That tug toward Earth--combined with the momentum from the rocket… …causes the satellite to follow a circular path around Earth: an orbit. But finding this balance is sort of tricky. Gravity is stronger the closer you are to Earth. Updated: Apr. Share on Facebook. Email This Link. Share on Twitter. Share on Pinterest.
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Two men sentenced in death of Panola Co. Emergency motion filed in Shelby County Schools masking debate. Latest News. Showers today, but sunny and cold this weekend. Sunshine returns this afternoon, but a small shower chance returns Friday. The initial speed of the satellite maintained as it detaches from the launch vehicle is enough to keep a satellite on orbit for hundreds of years.
A satellite maintains its orbit by balancing two factors: its velocity the speed it takes to travel in a straight line and the gravitational pull that Earth has on it. A satellite orbiting closer to the Earth requires more velocity to resist the stronger gravitational pull. Satellites do carry their own fuel supply, but unlike how a car uses gas, it is not needed to maintain speed for orbit.
It is reserved for changing orbit or avoiding collision with debris. Actually, they can. Collisions are rare because when a satellite is launched, it is placed into an orbit designed to avoid other satellites.
But orbits can change over time. And the chances of a crash increase as more and more satellites are launched into space.
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