How do satellites maintain altitude?

At the correct orbital velocity, gravity exactly balances the satellite’s inertia, pulling down toward Earth’s center just enough to keep the path of the satellite curving like Earth’s curved surface, rather than flying off in a straight line. The orbital velocity of the satellite depends on its altitude above Earth.

How do satellites maintain their speed?

So really, a satellites ability to maintain its orbit comes down to a balance between two factors: its velocity (or the speed at which it would travel in a straight line), and the gravitational pull between the satellite and the planet it orbits. The higher the orbit, the less velocity is required.

Do satellites change altitude?

Most orbits are not completely circular, so altitude changes from perigee to apogee on every orbit. Atmospheric drag causes satellites below 800 km altitude or so to lose altitude over time. Satellites will boost themselves periodically to maintain altitude.

Why is a satellite continuously accelerating?

The satellite is orbiting with constant speed. The satellite’s velocity is always changing. The satellite is accelerating, because there is a net force acting on it. The force of gravity on the satellite is the centripetal force.

How does gravity keep satellites in orbit?

Even when satellites are thousands of miles away, Earth’s gravity still tugs on them. Gravity—combined with the satellite’s momentum from its launch into space—cause the satellite to go into orbit above Earth, instead of falling back down to the ground.

What altitude do satellites orbit the earth?

between 160 and 2,000 kilometers
The majority of satellites orbiting the Earth do so at altitudes between 160 and 2,000 kilometers. This orbital regime is called low Earth orbit, or LEO, due to the satellites’ relative closeness to the Earth. Satellites in LEO typically take between 90 minutes and 2 hours to complete one full orbit around the Earth.

What is the altitude of a satellite?

The majority of satellites orbiting the Earth do so at altitudes between 160 and 2,000 kilometers.