Science Common Sense

1684 - How do planets and artificial satellites move?

Planets and artificial satellites move due to a force called 'gravity' and a concept called 'orbit'.

When something is thrown or launched around the Earth or other planets, it starts moving in a curved path around the object. This curved path is called an orbit.

There are two things that keep them moving in the orbit:

1. Gravity: This is the force that pulls them towards the object, like the Earth.
2. Their speed: When they are launched with enough speed, they don't fall to the ground but keep moving in the orbit.

Think of it like a ball on a string. You throw the ball and it keeps moving around you in a circle, because of the force of the string. In space, gravity acts like the string, keeping the planets and satellites in their orbits.