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Satellite

Adapted from Wikipedia · Explorer experience

The International Space Station's large solar panels and radiators are seen floating in space above Earth.

What is a Satellite?

A satellite is a special kind of machine that people send up into the sky. It goes around the Earth, like the Moon does, but we can control it. Satellites help us in many ways every day.

How Do Satellites Work?

Satellites float high above the Earth in something called orbit. This means they move around the Earth over and over again. They have special parts called solar panels that catch sunlight and turn it into power, like how plants use sunlight to grow.

Why Are Satellites Important?

Satellites help us do many things. They watch the weather and tell us if it will rain or be sunny. They help us talk to friends and family far away. They even help cars and phones find the right place using something called GPS. Some satellites look at stars and space to learn more about the universe.

The First Satellite

The very first satellite was called Sputnik 1. It was launched by the Soviet Union in 1957. It was a small, round ball that helped scientists learn new things about Earth.

Satellites are like friendly helpers in the sky, making our lives easier and helping us learn about the world and space.

Images

A model of Sputnik 1, the world's first artificial satellite, on display at the National Air and Space Museum.
Two small satellites called CubeSats float in space near the International Space Station, with Earth visible in the background.
A NASA test of an ion engine showing a faint blue glow of charged atoms, used to propel spacecraft efficiently through space.
The Earth Radiation Budget Satellite, launched in 1984, helped scientists study how energy from the Sun affects our planet’s climate and weather.
The Hubble Space Telescope being serviced during its second mission in 1997, showcasing advancements in space technology.
A chart showing how the number of objects in space, like satellites and space junk, has increased over time.
A stunning view of Earth rising over the lunar horizon, captured by astronauts during the Apollo 8 mission in 1968.

Related articles

Orbit
Solar panel
GPS
Sputnik 1
Soviet Union

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Satellite, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Images from Wikimedia Commons. Tap any image to view credits and license.