How do Satellites Work? The very basics...

Satellites are cool and help make modern life possible, but they are also confusing to many people - how can these things stay in orbit for decades without crashing into the earth?

The key ideas come from projectile motion. Gravity creates acceleration downward, but we need to give a fast enough speed perpendicular to gravity so the satellite moves in a curve. If you play with that speed, what you'll find is that there is a special speed where, as it falls, it moves very far forward. The trick is to have the curve of the satellite match the curve of the earth - thankfully the earth is more or less round!! This special speed is called the orbital velocity.

Check out the video, and I hope it helps!