Artificial satellites are human-built objects orbiting the Earth and other planets in the Solar System. The satellite that is created by man based on this theory in order to go in the outer space is called artificial satellite. This is different from the natural satellites, or moons, that orbit planet, dwarf planets and even asteroids. The satellites which revolve around the earth keeping themselves at a particular height from the earth’s surface are called artificial satellites. These satellites are raised to a particular height by three-stage rockets and then they revolve around the earth at a fixed velocity. Due to this, the satellite revolves around the earth like the moon.
On 4th October 1957 Russian scientists first launched an artificial satellite in the space. Its name was Sputnik-1. In the same year, another satellite was sent in the space. Its name was Sputnik-2. At that time American scientists did not lag behind. They also launched a satellite in space in 1958. Its name was Explorer-1. In this way, many satellites were being sent to the outer space from the earth to gather different information and mysteries of the universe. Famous Russian astronaut, Yuri Gagarin first traveled in the space with the help of space shuttle Vostok-1.
Here’s a list of 5 Earth-based artificial satellites:
- International Space Station (Still in orbit)
- Sputnik 1 (Returned to Earth in 1958)
- Hubble Space Telescope (Still in orbit)
- Global Positioning System network (32 satellites in geosynchronous orbit)
- Skylab Space Station (Returned to Earth in 1979)
