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Earth satellite
Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images & Videos
U.S. Explorer 10 satellite Sputnik 1 International Space Station; Discovery
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.
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 β€œspot” beams.
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
Quizzes
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
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

Earth satellite: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors

Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Add new Web site: IOPscience - The Astronomical Journal - From Order to Chaos in Earth Satellite Orbits. Jul 02, 2026
Add new Web site: IOPscience - Advances of the Perigees of Earth Satellites Predicted by General Relativity (PDF). Nov 13, 2025
Add new Web site: IOPscience - Advances of the Perigees of Earth Satellites Predicted by General Relativity (PDF). Nov 13, 2025
Add new Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Fifty Years of Earth Observation Satellites. Sep 05, 2025
Media added. Jul 24, 2025
Add new Web site: LiveScience - How many satellites orbit Earth? Jul 07, 2023
Add new Web site: Humanities LibreTexts - Earth Orbiting Satellites. Mar 14, 2023
Add new Web site: Space.com - What is a Satellite? Nov 04, 2019
Add new Web site: Hyperphysics - Early Earth Satellites. Nov 14, 2018
Added photographs of Sputnik 1 and the International Space Station. Jan 12, 2018
Article revised. Jan 12, 2018
Add new Web site: ESA Kids - Technology - Satellite. Apr 05, 2017
Add new Web site: NASA - What is a Satellite? Dec 09, 2016
Added video. Mar 20, 2015
Add new Web site: How Stuff Works - Science - Artificial Satellite. Mar 07, 2013
Add new Web site: Buzzle.com - Satellite. Jan 27, 2013
Add new Web site: National Geographic - History of Satellite. Jan 27, 2013
Add new Web site: How Stuff Works - Science - Artificial Satellite. Jul 08, 2011
Added image of replicas of synchronous communication satellites. Jul 23, 2009
Added new Web site: The Canadian Encyclopedia - Artificial Satellite. Sep 14, 2008
Added new Web site: The Satellite Site. Sep 21, 2006
Added new Web site: Space Available - Learning from Satellites. Sep 01, 2006
Added new Web site: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Remote Sensing. Jul 07, 2006
Article added to new online database. May 03, 1999
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