Interactive simulations for science teaching
400 downloadable interactive simulations
Satellite motion
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- 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.
- Learning objectives
- To simulate the behaviour of an artificial satellite orbiting the Earth.
- To understand what a geostationary orbit is and how it is achieved.
- How to use the animation
Click on
and 
to change the speed of the satellite.
- Keywords
- satellite, The-launching-of-a-satellite, satelisation, rocket, orbit, gravitation, geostationary, escape, ellipse, trajectory, astronomy, centripetal, acceleration, circular-motion
- Share your ideas with us!
- Share your ideas with us!