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GCSE Physics · key term
An object that orbits another object; satellites can be natural or artificial.
Used by AQA and OCR
Specification 4.8.1.3 · Paper 2
Revise: Orbital motion, natural and artificial satellitesThe Moon is a natural satellite orbiting Earth. People also place artificial satellites in orbit, commonly around Earth. So all three move in orbits, but they differ in what they orbit and whether they are natural or human-made.
Specification P8.3e · Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 4 (Higher)
An object that orbits a planet or another larger body.
Revise: Solar systemA planet may also have objects orbiting it. These are satellites. A moon is a natural satellite; an artificial satellite is made and launched by people.
Compare speeds only for stable circular orbits around the same central body. Speeding up a satellite does not instantly put it into a new circular orbit.
For a geostationary satellite, state both that its orbit is above the equator and that it matches Earth's rotation, so it stays above the same place.
Do not confuse a polar satellite passing over different parts of Earth with a geostationary satellite continuously viewing one area.
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