Question

Currently, there are more than 2,500 man-made satellites orbiting the earth. The satellites are launched with a specific objective in mind pertaining to several uses.

Answer the following questions based on the concept of satellites given in the passage:

1. Name a natural satellite of the earth.
2. What is an artificial satellite? Name the first artificial satellite.
3. What is the purpose of sending such satellites?

Answer 1

1. The Moon is the Earth's only natural satellite.
2. A man-made astronomical object in a fixed orbit around the Earth or another planet is called an artificial satellite. The first artificial satellite ‘Sputnik’ was sent to space by the Soviet Union in 1957.
3. Satellites are launched for a variety of communications and information-gathering purposes. Instruments are put in satellites to receive and transmit signals from and to the ground, depending on their role.