Investigating satellites – question bank

An inquiry approach is a method often used in science education. The question bank provides an initial list of questions about satellites and places where their answers can be found.

The article Investigating satellites – introduction has links to further resources and student activities.

Q. What is a satellite?

• Artificial satellites

• Natural satellites

• Gravity keeps satellites in orbit

• What are satellites?

Q. How do we know that the Sun is at the centre of the Solar System?

• Our solar system – revolutionary ideas

• Natural satellites

Q. Where does space begin?

• Launching satellites

• What are satellites?

Q. How big are satellites?

• Artificial satellites

• What are satellites?

• What is a CubeSat?

Q. How do satellites stay in orbit?

• Gravity keeps satellites in orbit

• Gravity and satellite motion

Q. What are the parts of a satellite?

• Artificial satellites

• Parts of a satellite

• Building satellites for Earth observation

• Build a satellite

Q. What are satellites used for?

• Artificial satellites

• Satellite communications

• Investigating the Antarctic ozone hole

• Satellites for atmospheric measurements

• Satellites measure ice sheet thickness

• Remote sensing

• Remote sensing and water quality

• How do we know about Earth movements?

Q. How are satellites launched into orbit?

• Launching satellites

• Launching satellites into orbit

• Rocket launch challenge

Q. How do satellite communications operate?

• Satellite communications

• Communicating with satellites

• Receiving a satellite signal

Q. What happens to satellites at the end of their working life?

• Space junk

• Space debris