G8-What Goes Up 800-900L-04

Conclusion

Today, there are thousands of satellites orbiting Earth. The force of gravity is always trying to pull them down. Their velocity helps them stay in orbit around Earth and not crash back into it. Communication satellites make it possible to speak with people on different continents. They also make it possible to have hundreds of available television stations. Orbiting weather satellites help scientists track and predict the weather. They also help us navigate the world using Global Positioning Satellites (GPS). Once put in place by powerful rockets, these satellites are able to stay in place forever. So when it comes to satellites, what goes up, does not always come back down.