The idea of a satellite goes beyond the traditional image of a metal container moving through outer space. The term "satellite" encompasses a broader concept: it refers to a compact object in space that follows a continuous path, an orbit, around a larger celestial body. For example, our own Moon acts as a natural satellite to Earth, constantly engaged in an orbital dance influenced by gravitational forces.
However, the satellites we usually think of, those metallic spacecraft, are actually man-made creations. These human-engineered emissaries travel along precisely calculated paths—whether they are circular or elliptical—at various distances from our planet. Importantly, these artificial satellites tend to operate well above Earth's protective atmosphere.
