Satellite (artificial)

A satellite is an object that orbits another object. In space, satellites may be natural, or artificial. The moon is a natural satellite that orbits the Earth. Most artificial satellites also orbit the Earth, but some orbit other planets, or the Sun or Moon. Satellites are used for many purposes. There are weather satellites, communications satellites, navigation satellites, reconnaissance satellites, astronomy satellites.

The world's first artificial satellite, the Sputnik 1, was launched by the Soviet Union on October 4,1957. This surprised the world, and the United States quickly worked to launch their own satellite, starting the space race. Sputnik 2 was launched on November 3, 1957 and carried the first living passenger into orbit, a dog named Laika. The United States launched their first satellite, called Explorer 1 on January 31, 1958.^[1] The UK launched its first satellite in 1962.^[2]

Since then, thousands of satellites have been launched into orbit around the Earth. Some satellites, notably space stations, have been launched in parts and assembled in orbit.

1. ↑ "Dawn of Space Age". NASA. Archived from the original on 30 April 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
2. ↑ "Solar Orbiter". BBC News. 26 April 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2013.