18 FAQs about Artificial Satellites (The Astronomy Cafe)

Introduction Satellites for Beginners, Mark Wades Encyclopedia Astronautica

History of Communications Satellites NASA Report by David Whalen

Satellite forecasting Calculator page

Viewing: SatPasses Page , Iridium Flare Photos , Telescope Observations of satellites

Orbital Debris NASA Newsletter on Space Hazards

Footprint Calculator for ComSats Chris Meenan

Sounds from the first satellites Oscar, Sputnick, Explorer, Vanguard

  1. Can you see the Space Shuttle from the ground?
  2. Why are satellites sometimes put into polar orbits?
  3. What is the typical altitude for the Space Shuttle and the Space Telescope?
  4. Where can I get information about orbiting space junk?
  5. How can I find out which satellites are visible from Saskatchewan in Canada?
  6. Where can I get information about computing the orbits of artificial satellites?
  7. What technology developments do we need to get to Mars?
  8. How are satellites prevented from crashing into each other?
  9. What are normal satellite altitudes?
  10. What is the altitude of an object seen 90 minutes before sunrise about 20 degrees up from the eastern horizon?
  11. What were the three most important satellites ever launched?
  12. How fast do satellites travel in space?
  13. Would satellites fall from the sky if the Sun went out?
  14. Was there a delay in the reception of the Galileo data at Earth?
  15. Why can't a satellite orbit the North Pole without dipping below a latitude of, say, 70 degrees?
  16. Why is an exactly polar orbit for an Earth satellite impossible?
  17. Can you see man-made satellites from the ground with the naked eye?
  18. Can you tell me something about the Solar Maximum Mission?

RETURN to the Question and Answer Index.