Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what’s flying around up there (besides stars and planets)? Well, believe it or not, there are thousands of satellites orbiting Earth right now! Some help scientists, others send TV signals, and a few even take selfies of our planet from space. Get ready to explore 10 amazing facts about these high-flying machines!

1. There are over 10,000 satellites in space.

These satellites are busy doing all sorts of jobs.

Some take pictures of Earth, some beam TV shows to your home, and others help people talk to each other from opposite sides of the planet.

The number keeps growing as more satellites are launched every year!

2. Some satellites orbit Earth in just 90 minutes.

That means they zip all the way around the entire planet more than 16 times every single day!

These speedy satellites are usually very close to Earth and move super fast – about 28,000 kilometres per hour.

Blink, and they’re already over a different country!

3. Satellites help you watch TV and play games.

Ever watched a football match on satellite TV or used a GPS to work out the directions?

That’s satellites at work!

They send signals through space so we can stay connected, entertained, and on the right path – even in the middle of nowhere.

4. Satellites can see almost everything on Earth.

Some special satellites have powerful cameras that can take super clear pictures of the ground.

They can see forests, cities, oceans – and even cars, ships, or aeroplanes!

These images help with weather forecasts, disaster response, and even tracking animals in the wild.

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5. The first satellite in space was Sputnik 1.

Launched by the Soviet Union in 1957, Sputnik 1 was the size of a beach ball and was the first man-made object to orbit Earth.

It didn’t do much except send out beep beep signals, but it started the great space race between countries and changed the world forever.

6. Satellites don’t have engines (usually!).

Unlike rockets or cars, most satellites don’t use engines to move.

They are launched into space by rockets and then float around Earth in a path called an orbit.

Gravity keeps them in that path, kind of like how the Moon stays in orbit around Earth.

7. Some satellites are solar-powered.

Lots of satellites use big shiny solar panels to collect sunlight and turn it into energy.

This helps them power their cameras, computers, and other tools while they fly through space.

As long as the Sun is shining, they keep going!

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8. There are different types of satellites.

Some are used for weather forecasting, helping us know when it will rain or snow.

Others are used for science experiments, communication, or even spying!

There are even satellites looking far into deep space, sending back images of stars and galaxies.

9. Satellites help connect the world

Thanks to satellites, people across the globe can talk, text, and share videos almost instantly.

They make it easier to send internet to faraway places, help aeroplanes talk to airports, and allow astronauts to video call their families from space!

10. Space junk is a real problem

With so many satellites being launched, there’s also a growing mess of space junk – broken bits of old satellites, rocket parts, and other stuff floating around.

If two pieces crash, they can create even more debris.

Scientists are working on ways to clean it up before it becomes dangerous.

Discover everything you need to know about satellites here!

Bonus Fact!

You can sometimes see satellites from Earth with your own eyes! If you go outside at night and spot a small light moving smoothly across the sky (without blinking like a plane), it could be a satellite reflecting sunlight as it orbits overhead. The International Space Station is one of the brightest!

So next time you use your phone, check the weather, or look at a map…

Just remember: somewhere far above your head, a satellite might be helping to make it all happen. Space is busy – and satellites are the helpers keeping it all running smoothly!