Satellites
Satellites can be organised into two groups, natural and artificial. An example of a natural satellite, a body that orbits a planet, is the Moon. Artificial satellites are man-made and placed into orbit around Earth by humans, and without them modern day life would grind to a halt. There are many types of satellite such as communications, navigation, weather, observation and space telescopes The International Space Station is also a satellite.
What's the strangest satellite in space?
There are likely over 12,000 artificial objects in orbit around Earth, including some very strange satellites you might not expect to be there
From 9/11 to Hurricane Katrina: 15 unforgettable photos of Earth from space
As its mission ends, we look back at Landsat 7's most stunning and revealing images – a visual record of a world in constant change
Are satellites burning up in the atmosphere bad for the environment?
Particles released by decaying satellites could be causing an unwanted, harmful impact to the ozone layer.
null
undefined
What are the chances I'll be hit by a falling satellite?
What are the chances of you getting hit by space debris? Let's check the odds.
The new space mission that will reshape how we see climate change forever
When it launches in 2026, the Copernicus programme’s Anthropogenic Carbon Dioxide Monitoring satellite will give us a new window onto Earth’s atmosphere… And how we’re altering it.
Satellites in orbit can now be hacked. Here's why that's really (really) bad
Storing GPS information, military secrets and banking data, satellites are a gold mine for hackers.
Satellite gridlock: How Earth’s orbital space could soon reach breaking point
What goes up, must come down.
Nukes in space: Why a very very stupid idea just became more likely
Fears of a Cold War nightmare are resurfacing.
NASA’s bold new ‘solar sail’ mission could unlock interstellar travel
Next stop: Alpha Centauri?
NASA to test giant slingshot designed to fling satellites into orbit
The space agency has partnered with private company SpinLaunch, who say their unique spinning mechanism could help cut the cost and environmental impact of small satellite launches.
Reality Check | Space Junk: Is it a disaster waiting to happen?
Experts are calling for urgent action before debris floating in orbit around the Earth triggers a runaway cascade of collisions known as the Kessler Syndrome.
Does anyone control where satellites are launched into space?
Astrophysicist Dr Alastair Gunn explains why changes may be needed to stop satellites colliding in space.
In pictures: Virgin air-launched rocket carries 10 ‘CubeSat’ satellites into orbit
It is the first orbital class, air-launched, liquid-fuelled rocket to reach space.
'Space hurricane' observed above the North Pole
The space hurricane was detected in the Earth's upper atmosphere and 'rained electrons' over the North Pole for nearly eight hours.
Elon Musk's Starlink gives "amazing" broadband to UK villages
The controversial constellation is expected to grow to tens of thousands of satellites, covering the globe by 2022.
How swarm spacecraft could help us understand Earth like never before
Small, simple, cheap satellites are being developed to explore and study space in new ways. If we deploy them in vast swarms, these ‘CubeSats’ could change the way we see and protect our planet.
Elephant populations surveyed from space using artificial intelligence
The world-first study opens the door to more effective methods of monitoring the movements of endangered species.
UK-built nanosatellites set for launch
The satellites will monitor shipping movements from low-Earth orbit.
Space junk | We don't know where over 75 per cent of orbital debris actually came from
Orbital debris threatens our satellites, but these items are not being monitored closely enough say astronomers.
Shoebox-sized satellites built in the UK to be launched this month
The nanosatellites have on-board technology that can predict the locations of boats and track their whereabouts.
Controversial SpaceX Starlink satellites trial dark coating
Astronomers are fearful of having dark skies spoiled by hundreds and, eventually, thousands of bright satellites circling overhead.
CHEOPS: ESA satellite mission to help us understand exoplanets launches
ESA's CHaracterising ExoPlanet Satellite mission could help us discover potentially habitable planets beyond our Solar System
CHEOPS, ESA's exoplanet-studying satellite, launched successfully
The CHEOPS mission seeks to examine planets orbiting bright stars relatively close to our Solar System.
Proposed ESA 'satellite embracer' scoops up hazardous space debris
Other options for dealing with space debris include casting a net over objects or using a harpoon.