Earth satellite: Quick Facts

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Last updated

Nov. 8, 2026

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Facts

Also Known As	uncrewed satellite

Photos and Videos

U.S. Explorer 10 satellite

International Space Station; Discovery

TIROS weather satellite

The satellite's solar panels are arrays of solar cells that provide the electrical energy needed for its functions, the power being stored in batteries. Its antennas may be 8 ft (2.5 m) in diameter and may transmit wide-area-of-coverage beams or narrowly focused “spot” beams.

Two satellites in space above the Earth.

An astronaut in space waves while surrounded by floating plastic debris including bottles, a bag, a straw, and a plate near Earth's orbit.

Protecting satellites from space debris

Know how GPS satellites guide airplanes, cars, and even cell phones

Learn how solar flares can affect satellites, rockets, telecommunications systems and activity on the surface of the Earth

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Topics

space debris Block II Geosat Molniya Syncom 2 Syncom 3 Westar Block I scientific satellite navigation satellite rocket spy satellite Is Comet 3I/ATLAS an alien spacecraft?unidentified flying object Infographic: Spacecraft of the Apollo Program Moon Unidentified Flying Objects: What We Know

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Key People

Wernher von Braun

Wernher von Braun

German engineer

Qian Xuesen

Qian Xuesen

Chinese scientist

Pickering, William Hayward; Johnson, Lyndon

William Hayward Pickering

American engineer and physicist

Glushko, Valentin Petrovich

Valentin Petrovich Glushko

Soviet scientist

Buzz Aldrin. Apollo 11. Apollo 11 astronaut Edwin Aldrin, photographed July 20, 1969, during the first manned mission to the Moon's surface. Reflected in Aldrin's faceplate is the Lunar Module and astronaut Neil Armstrong, who took the picture.

Exploration and Discovery

Nicolaus Copernicus. Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543) Polish astronomer. In 1543 he published, forward proof of a Heliocentric (sun centered) universe. Coloured stipple engraving published London 1802. De revolutionibus orbium coelestium libri vi.

All About Astronomy