Why Don T Satellites Fly

Satellites don t move in circles.

Why don t satellites fly. The reason satellites don t fly into space is because they are being pulled towards the planet by the planet s gravity. If you throw a ball into the air the ball comes right back down. Gps satellites pass in regular orbits that can be seen from the whole earth. Noaa nasa and other u s.

There are thousands of satellites orbiting earth right now. How do they all stay up there and why don t they just fall out of the sky. And international organizations keep track of satellites in space. Then start swinging it around in a circle.

Their orbits are oval shaped which means that sometimes a satellite will be closer to the earth than other times. A satellite is a type of machine that orbits earth taking pictures and collecting information. This is a question similar to one wrestled with by newton himself who didn t understand why the planets didn t fall into each other. Only a satellite passing directly over the poles will pass over the poles.

Collisions are rare because when a satellite is launched it is placed into an orbit designed to avoid other satellites. Imagine if you have a string with a small rock tied to one end. All satellites will pass over the equator at some point in time. And satellites could conceivably be launched from cannons.

The string is tight keeping the rock from flying away. On earth it s not so easy because satellites have to get up above the atmosphere and into the vacuum of space to orbit for any length of time. Aircraft cannot fly over the north pole due to extemely strong magnetic fields and much stronger radiation levels. Satellites do fly over the north pole.

Why don t satellites fall out of the sky. But orbits can change over time. They don t need to pass over the poles to do so. The sun heats the atmosphere during the day.

Faa regulations are not applicable to satellites and other space craft. Why don t satellites crash into each other.