Satellite Orbits

Satellite orbits are paths that satellites follow around Earth, maintained by gravity and their speed. When a satellite travels fast enough, it continuously falls toward Earth but moves forward enough to stay above the same spot, creating a stable orbit. These orbits can be close or far from Earth, depending on their purpose—low Earth orbit (LEO), for example, is used for imaging and communication, while geostationary orbit is used for weather and TV signals. The orbit's shape (circular or elliptical) and altitude influence how satellites move and how they serve their specific functions.