thanksIt is accelerating toward the center of its motion all the time. It is called centripetal acceleration. It is the acceleration toward the center of its orbit that casues the direction of its veloctiy to constantly be changing. Some would say it is actually falling all the time, but the path of its fall never intersects the Earth and in fact keeps it at a constant distance from the Earth as it falls past the edge of the earth.john fairbanks said:Why doesn't a satellite's radial velocity (falling toward the Earth's center of gravity) increase as it it revolving --- I understand why its tangential speed stays the same but what is stopping the satellite from accelerating in its fall -- there is no air resistance up there. In other words, why does it fall at a constant speed and not accelerate by the force of gravity.
I don't particularly like the notion of saying a satellite in orbit is "falling", but suppose you could fire a cannon ball over a parabolic shaped mountain on a path that keeps the ball a few cm off the ground the whole time. Is the ball "falling" when it comes down the other side of the mountain? It's just a matter of how you want to describe the motion. The impoortant thing is to recognize that the ball and the satellite are both accelerating the whole time.john fairbanks said:
A satellite's revolution refers to its orbit around a celestial body, such as the Earth. This orbit is typically in a circular or elliptical path and can vary in distance from the surface of the body.
Satellites revolutionize communication by providing a means of transmitting signals and data over long distances without the need for physical infrastructure. This allows for global communication and connectivity, including television broadcasts, phone calls, and internet access.
The benefits of satellite technology include improved communication and connectivity, remote sensing and monitoring capabilities, weather forecasting, navigation, and scientific research. Satellites also play a crucial role in disaster response and management.
Some challenges in satellite revolution include the high cost of launching and maintaining satellites, potential space debris and collisions, interference with other satellites, and the need for constant monitoring and maintenance to ensure functionality.
Satellite technology has evolved significantly since its inception in the 1950s. Advancements in technology have led to smaller, more efficient satellites with improved capabilities and longer lifetimes. The use of multiple satellites in constellations has also increased coverage and data collection capabilities.