Space PhysicsKey Facts

Types of Artificial Satellites

Part of Orbits · GCSE GCSE Physics revision

This key facts covers Types of Artificial Satellites within Orbits for GCSE Physics. Revise Orbits in Space Physics for GCSE Physics with 13 exam-style questions and 10 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 5 of 8 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 5 of 8

Practice

13 questions

Recall

10 flashcards

📡 Types of Artificial Satellites

TypeAltitudeOrbital PeriodUses
Geostationary35,786 km24 hours (stays above same point)TV, communications, weather
Low Earth Orbit (LEO)200-2000 km~90 minutesISS, imaging, Earth observation
Polar orbit~800 km~100 minutesMapping (covers whole Earth as it rotates)

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Orbits. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Practice Questions for Orbits

What is a protostar?

  • A. A cloud of gas and dust in space
  • B. A star that is forming from a collapsing cloud of gas and dust
  • C. A star that has used up all its hydrogen
  • D. A star that has exploded as a supernova
1 markfoundation

Explain why a main sequence star remains stable (in equilibrium) for billions of years.

2 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

What is Low Earth Orbit (LEO)?
Orbit at 200-2000 km altitude with ~90 minute orbital period. Used for ISS, imaging, and Earth observation
What is a polar orbit used for?
Mapping - the satellite orbits at ~800 km altitude covering the whole Earth as the planet rotates beneath it

13 questions on Orbits — practise free

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