Satellites
A satellite is an object that is in orbit around an object in space of a larger size. Things such as the Earth's Moon or Pluto's Charon are natural satellites. Humans have also created artificial satellites—human-made machines and spacecraft in orbit around our Earth or other objects in our galaxy. These types of satellites have fundamentally changed humanity—such as connecting us with people across the globe or sending us important scientific information about far away planets.
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Deep dives
On demand
April 12, 2022
November 04, 2021
May 23, 2018
From the Collection
Exhibitions
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Upcoming Exhibition
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Upcoming Exhibition
Learning Resources
Activity/Lab
My Path: From Intern to Astrophysicist, Dr. Kelly Korreck
Solar Physicist Dr. Kelly Korreck tells the story of her career from a young University of Michigan undergraduate student to being a Solar Physicist for the NASA Parker Solar Probe.
Grade Level
Grade 5,
Grade 6,
Grade 7,
Grade 8 and
Grade 9
Topics
Astronomy,
Behind the scenes,
People,
Satellites,
Stars,
Sun,
Technology and Engineering,
Telescopes and
Women
Leader
Student
Rights
cc-by-nc
Lecture
What’s New in Aerospace: On Life In Space: "You See All Sorts of Crazy Things" (Kathy Sullivan)
Former astronaut and recent administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Dr. Kathryn Sullivan shared the importance of satellite technologies in looking at Earth.
Grade Level
Grade 6,
Grade 7,
Grade 8,
Grade 9,
Grade 10,
Grade 11,
Grade 12,
Grades 13-14,
Grades 15-16 and
Grades 17-20
Topics
Satellites and
Human spaceflight
Leader
Student,
Teacher,
Parent/Caregiver and
Other
Rights
cc-by-nc
Activity/Lab
Flights of Fancy Story Time: "Shhh! Satellites"
Earth is trying to sleep but the Satellites keep bothering Earth with noisy signals. They are talking in all different languages and sending all kinds of information.
Grade Level
Grade PK,
Grade 1,
Grade K,
Grade 2 and
Grade 3
Topics
Moon (Earth),
Satellites and
Spaceflight
Leader
Student,
Teacher and
Parent/Caregiver
Rights
cc-by-nc
Activity/Lab
My Path: From Intern to Astrophysicist; Dr. Kelly Korreck
Solar Physicist Dr. Kelly Korreck tells the story of her career from a young University of Michigan undergraduate student to being a Solar Physicist for the NASA Parker Solar Probe.
Grade Level
Grade 5,
Grade 6,
Grade 7,
Grade 8 and
Grade 9
Topics
Astronomy,
Behind the scenes,
People,
Satellites,
Spaceflight,
Stars,
Sun,
Technology and Engineering,
Telescopes and
Women
Leader
Student
Rights
cc-by-nc
Lecture
What’s New in Aerospace: Science on Station
TJ Creamer and NanoRacks project manager Brock Howe, and Sarah Quasny from NASA program integration to talk about how science is conducted on the station.
Grade Level
Grade 3,
Grade 5,
Grade 6,
Grade 4,
Grade 7,
Grade 8,
Grade 9,
Grade 10,
Grade 11,
Grade 12,
Grades 13-14,
Grades 15-16 and
Grades 17-20
Topics
Satellites,
Science,
Space stations,
Technology and Engineering and
Spaceflight
Leader
Student,
Teacher,
Parent/Caregiver and
Other
Rights
cc-by-nc
Lecture
What’s New in Aerospace: From Hurricanes to Your Street Corner: Photography from Space (Jim David)
So what exactly can be be captured from space and how is satellite imagery being used today?
Grade Level
Grade 3,
Grade 4,
Grade 6,
Grade 5,
Grades 17-20,
Grades 15-16,
Grades 13-14,
Grade 12,
Grade 11,
Grade 10,
Grade 9,
Grade 8 and
Grade 7
Topics
Satellites
Leader
Student,
Teacher,
Parent/Caregiver and
Other
Rights
cc-by-nc
