How do satellites stay up there?

High above Singapore, satellites zoom around Earth without ever falling down. They give us GPS maps, weather pictures and TV!

But there are no ropes holding them, and no engines pushing all the time. So what keeps them up?

1. Gravity is always pulling

Gravity is the invisible force that pulls things down toward the ground. Drop your pencil and it falls. Jump up and you come back down.

Gravity reaches all the way into space too. It pulls satellites toward Earth, just like it pulls you.

2. Now throw it sideways — fast!

Imagine standing on a tall mountain and throwing a ball. Throw it gently and it lands close by. Throw it harder and it lands far away.

Drag the slider to throw the ball faster and faster and watch where it lands.

3. The secret: it falls AND misses

If you throw the ball super fast, something amazing happens. The ball falls toward Earth — but the Earth is round, so the ground curves away underneath it.

The ball keeps falling and keeps missing the ground, going round and round. That circle is called an orbit! 🔁

4. A perfect balance

An orbit needs two things working together at the same time:

1. Gravity pulling the satellite toward Earth.
2. Sideways speed carrying it forward so it keeps missing.

What would happen if a satellite suddenly stopped moving sideways?

5. Why it keeps going for years

Up in space there is almost no air. On the ground, air pushes against a moving ball and slows it down. But with no air to slow it, a satellite keeps its speed and stays in orbit for a very long time. 🎉

Tap each card to learn a quick fact:

6. Make your own orbit

Pick the recipe that keeps a satellite in orbit. Choose one for each:

Well done, space scientist!

Now you know the secret of how satellites stay in orbit:

• Gravity is always pulling the satellite toward Earth.
• The satellite has lots of sideways speed.
• So it keeps falling and missing — going round and round.
• With almost no air in space, it keeps going for a long time.

Next time you use a map or watch the weather, remember — a satellite is up there, falling forever and never landing!