Satellite Facts for Kids

23 Satellite Facts For Kids

1. A satellite is a manmade object that is purposefully put into orbit in outer space.
2. Satellites are launched into space using carrier rockets provided by governments or private companies.
3. 90% of all the satellites orbiting Earth are in low-Earth orbit (LEO).
4. Low-Earth Orbit is defined as an altitude of 1,200 miles or less from sea level.
5. Satellites can be used for exploring space, communications, observation, and several other activities.
6. Communications satellites are used to relay information across the globe, like television, phone calls and the internet.
7. Earth observation satellites are used to collect data and monitoring things on Earth, like the weather or the oceans.
8. Navigation satellites are used for geopositioning and navigation systems, an example of a navigation satellite is the Global Positioning System (GPS).
9. Space probes are satellites sent out to explore various astronomical bodies and objects in our Solar System.
10. Space telescopes are satellites that are used to study and take pictures of the Universe, an example of a space telescope is the Hubble Space Telescope.
11. Spy satellites are used by the military to take photographs of other countries for a strategic advantage or to track the development of military assets.
12. Weaponized satellites are used to attack other satellites or Earth based targets; it is unknown if any countries have deployed weaponized satellites.
13. The first satellite ever launched into space and orbit Earth was the Sputnik 1 satellite on October 4th, 1957.
14. The first satellite to ever have a polar orbit of Earth was Explorer 6 on August 7th, 1959.
15. The first satellite to take a spy photograph of Earth was Discoverer 14 on August 18th, 1960.
16. The first communications satellite to be launched was Telstar 1 on July 10th, 1962.
17. The first satellite to achieve a geosynchronous orbit of Earth was Syncom 2 on July 26th, 1963.
18. The first satellite to achieve a geostationary orbit of Earth was Syncom 3 on August 19th, 1964.
19. The first satellite to orbit another celestial body (the Moon) was Luna 10 on April 3rd, 1966.
20. The first satellite to orbit another planet (Mars) was Mariner 9 on November 27th, 197
21. The increase of satellites, both active and inactive, along with other space debris increases the risk of damage to all satellites orbiting Earth.
22. Kessler syndrome is a devastating event where a satellite in low Earth orbit gets damaged and breaks apart. The debris from that satellite damages other satellites as it travels around the planet, creating an exponential feedback loop.
23. NASA scientist Donald J. Kessler proposed the Kessler syndrome in 1978.

Satellite Pictures

Pictures are one of the best ways for people to learning about something. That is why we are providing you with the below images to help you with your research on satellites. Below you will find three pictures that represent satellites. These pictures should help you better understand satellites and what they look like.

A picture of a space communications satellite in low orbit.

A picture of a satellite orbiting Earth.

A picture of a satellite observation of the Earth's climate.