Satellite motion

Ages

Introduction

Summary

Once launched, the only forces governing the motion of a satellite are the force of gravity (red vector) and centrifugal force (not shown). The satellite’s speed is shown by a blue vector.  You can change the speed in real time or start an automatically synchronized sequence.

Satellites will orbit in paths which are ellipses.  Circular motion, as in a geostationary orbit, is achieved under very precise conditions.

Goals

• To simulate the behaviour of an artificial satellite orbiting the Earth.
• To understand what a geostationary orbit is and how it is achieved.

Features

Click on and to change the speed of the satellite.

Tags

satellite The-launching-of-a-satellite satelisation rocket orbit gravitation geostationary escape ellipse trajectory astronomy centripetal acceleration circular-motion