How Do Satellites Stay In Orbit?

A satellite is an object which orbits another. An orbit is the curved path that an object in space takes around another object.

The Moon is a natural satellite of the Earth. The Earth is a natural satellite of the Sun. But there are artificial satellites as well. Human-made objects that have been launched into space. Many of these orbit the Earth. Though some space probes orbit other planets (like Mars) or the Moon.

So how do satellites stay in orbit? Use the animations on this page to experiment and find out.