The important thing to remember is that satellites aren’t rockets; they don’t have thrusters, or if they do, they’re not nearly as powerful as the ones you’d see on a rocket. Rather, it’s those very rockets that determine a good bulk of a satellite’s travel speed. To actually get a satellite into orbit, it needs to be mounted onto a rocket, and they are shot into orbit at speeds of around 17,800 miles per hour. Once the rocket reaches orbit, it spits the satellite out, which carries the momentum of the initial launch along with it, give or take a few hundred miles per hour.
Advertisement
A big factor that determines how much of that inertia the satellite maintains is which of the three primary orbital altitudes it’s launched to. For example, if it’s still relatively close to the Earth’s surface, around 200 to 1,200 miles above the surface, that’s known as a low-Earth orbit. It’ll travel around the same speed as the initial launch, approximately 17,500 miles per hour. According to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, that’s about 90 times the average speed of a bullet train.
However, if a satellite is in geosynchronous orbit, it’s substantially further from Earth, about 22,000 miles above the surface. Satellites launched into this kind of orbit may have additional thrusters onboard, which are fired to subtly shift their arc. This is all with the intent of matching the speed of the Earth’s rotation, roughly 7,000 miles per hour. A slight variation of this is the geostationary orbit, where the satellite is parked directly over Earth’s equator.
Advertisement
Real ID Sparks Massive Wait Times in New Jersey: ‘No Appointment Available’
- Advertisment - 
Recent Comments
on Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on Arsenal highlighted for spending 26 seconds taking corner v Everton – Sky Sports’ tweet backfires
on ACC football schedule: League approves 3-5-5 format with all teams in one division starting in 2023
on Get ready for a SpongeBob and slime Super Bowl: CBS and Nickelodeon team up for NFL’s biggest game
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on “Completely Tormented”: How Tom Cruise Was Almost Cast In The Shawshank Redemption (& Why He Wasn’t)
on A bearish options trade that pays off if hotel stocks start to feel a travel slowdown like airlines
on Air Force vs. San Diego State live stream, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on Dallas Cowboys Will “Bring You Nothing But Bad Luck”, Sports Media Vet Warns Luka Doncic’s Mavericks
on 2024 College World Series: Jac Caglianone keeps Gators alive with homer despite short pitching start
on Arsenal highlighted for spending 26 seconds taking corner v Everton – Sky Sports’ tweet backfires
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on ‘I Will Immediately Retire From Boxing and Fight Jorge Masvidal…’: Jake Paul Starts 2023 With a Bang
on Mission: Impossible review: The new version makes it clear what these movies have always been about
on Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on Iowa State starting RB Jirehl Brock among latest college football players charged in gambling probe
on Cruise worker accused of stabbing woman and 2 security guards with scissors on ship headed to Alaska
on If you’re a frequent traveler, these wrap tops from Aday will revolutionize your on-the-go wardrobe
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on Army vs. Coastal Carolina live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on As more abortion bans occur, many patients must travel hundreds of miles for care – or be stranded
on ‘1000-Lb. Sisters’ Tammy Slaton Is Still ‘Too Large’ to Fly in a Plane Despite All the Weight Loss
on CA couple forced to take 8-hour train ride home amid Southwest fiasco: ‘We just want to get home’
on Inside Floyd Mayweather’s Lavish Lifestyle: A Look at His Stunning Car Collection and Private Jet
on Disney Cruise Line Creating New Display on Castaway Cay Honoring Families Who Have Sailed 50+ Times
on College sports giants struggle to get a bailout from Congress as athletes push for employee status
on Johnny Knoxville Talks Jackass Stunts And How They Compare To Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible Work
on Napoli owner admits he ‘knew’ Victor Osimhen would end up at ‘Real Madrid, PSG or one English club’
on Lake Tahoe officials tackle overtourism with focus on management, not marketing; new fees may loom
on Massive $1,260,000,000 News Strikes Wrexham’s New League Days After Ryan Reynolds’ Side’s Promotion
on Florida athletic board bans transgender volleyball player from HS sports for a year, school fined
on Daniel Cormier joins the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2024 alongside NFL legend Drew Brees
on Camilla Parker Bowles Revealed the ‘Nicest Thing’ She and Prince Charles Do When They Travel Is Free
on Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on Carlos Sainz’s Soccer Fanboy Emerges as Spaniard Shares Defining Moment With This Real Madrid Legend
on Arsenal highlighted for spending 26 seconds taking corner v Everton – Sky Sports’ tweet backfires
on Inside the Michael Jordan ‘Air’ movie, plus why NFL, others are buying into the sports film industry
on As more abortion bans occur, many patients must travel hundreds of miles for care – or be stranded
on David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on Napoli owner admits he ‘knew’ Victor Osimhen would end up at ‘Real Madrid, PSG or one English club’
on Erdogan to attend Turkey-Netherlands Euro 2024 quarterfinal amid diplomatic row with host Germany
on Camilla Parker Bowles Revealed the ‘Nicest Thing’ She and Prince Charles Do When They Travel Is Free
on Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on Gymnastics GOAT Simone Biles Poses With the First American Woman to Land Highly Distinguished Job
on NASA and SpaceX Crew-6 Mission: Experiments Could Reveal Extraterrestrial Travel’s Health Impacts
on Arsenal highlighted for spending 26 seconds taking corner v Everton – Sky Sports’ tweet backfires
on Britney Spears And Sam Asghari Both Seen Without Wedding Rings As Singer Vacations With Her Manager
on Southwest Airlines made $683 million in Q2, as a hectic summer travel season led to record revenue
on Georgia Senate passes sports betting bill, but odds dim with as constitutional amendment required
on Arsenal highlighted for spending 26 seconds taking corner v Everton – Sky Sports’ tweet backfires
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Exercise Scientist Reveals an Unlikely Benefit of Using Creatine: “Many People Did Not See Coming”
on Southwest Airlines made $683 million in Q2, as a hectic summer travel season led to record revenue
on Hollywood Reporter: Tom Cruise negotiated with movie studios over AI before the actors strike began
on A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on Joe Manchin and Tommy Tuberville introduce bill on name, image and likeness rules for college sports
on 2023 NBA playoffs: Scores, results, series schedules, times as Clippers steal Game 1, Nuggets cruise
on How Does Jack Nicklaus Travel? Exploring the Private Jets Owned by the ‘Golden Bear’ Over the Years
on Katherine Paprocka allegedly embezzled nearly $600k from school for family vacations, IVF treatment
on Napoli owner admits he ‘knew’ Victor Osimhen would end up at ‘Real Madrid, PSG or one English club’
on Not to be missed on Netflix is a romantic and light film that will make you travel through time
on Camilla Parker Bowles Revealed the ‘Nicest Thing’ She and Prince Charles Do When They Travel Is Free
on Mad Dog’s
on Angel Reese Launches Foundation Dedicated To Empowering Women Through Sports & Financial Literacy
on Billionaire Vince McMahon Once Spent a Whopping Amount of $175,000 For Brock Lesnar’s Convenience
on Joe Manchin and Tommy Tuberville introduce bill on name, image and likeness rules for college sports
on Cruise guest gets stuck on ‘claustrophobic’ water slide suspended over ocean: ‘That is super scary’
on Dave Portnoy: Taylor Swift’s security should ‘drag Kim Kardashian to jail’ if she attends Eras Tour
on EXCLUSIVE: Former KBM Crew Chief Makes Revelations About Kyle Busch but Keeps Hush About KBM Sale
on College basketball rankings: Virginia joins preseason Top 25 And 1, ready to contend for ACC title
on Drawing Comparisons to Stephen Curry, Stephen A. Smith Lauds Caitlin Clark for Achieving a Rare Feat
on CBS Sports, Serie A announce new TV rights deal; Paramount+ to air over 400 Italian soccer matches
on Inside Floyd Mayweather’s Lavish Lifestyle: A Look at His Stunning Car Collection and Private Jet
on A bearish options trade that pays off if hotel stocks start to feel a travel slowdown like airlines
on Johnny Knoxville Talks Jackass Stunts And How They Compare To Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible Work
on Braun Strowman Reportedly Set for WWE Return Abroad on Promotional Tour After 6 Months Out Injured
on Lake Tahoe officials tackle overtourism with focus on management, not marketing; new fees may loom
on Napoli owner admits he ‘knew’ Victor Osimhen would end up at ‘Real Madrid, PSG or one English club’
on CBS Sports, Serie A announce new TV rights deal; Paramount+ to air over 400 Italian soccer matches
on Camilla Parker Bowles Revealed the ‘Nicest Thing’ She and Prince Charles Do When They Travel Is Free
on Cruise guest gets stuck on ‘claustrophobic’ water slide suspended over ocean: ‘That is super scary’
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on ‘Pokémon Scarlet’ and ‘Violet’ Fan Theories Suggest Legendary Time Travel, Alternate Dimension Plot
on Cruise worker accused of stabbing woman and 2 security guards with scissors on ship headed to Alaska
on Can Tom Cruise Save The Box Office Again With Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning? An Investigation
on Can Tom Cruise Save The Box Office Again With Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning? An Investigation
on Can Tom Cruise Save The Box Office Again With Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning? An Investigation
on Johnny Knoxville Talks Jackass Stunts And How They Compare To Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible Work
on Napoli owner admits he ‘knew’ Victor Osimhen would end up at ‘Real Madrid, PSG or one English club’
on Camilla Parker Bowles Revealed the ‘Nicest Thing’ She and Prince Charles Do When They Travel Is Free
on CBS Sports, Serie A announce new TV rights deal; Paramount+ to air over 400 Italian soccer matches
on Can Tom Cruise Save The Box Office Again With Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning? An Investigation
on ‘1000-Lb. Sisters’ Tammy Slaton Is Still ‘Too Large’ to Fly in a Plane Despite All the Weight Loss
on Cruise worker accused of stabbing woman and 2 security guards with scissors on ship headed to Alaska
on ‘1000-Lb. Sisters’ Tammy Slaton Is Still ‘Too Large’ to Fly in a Plane Despite All the Weight Loss
on Johnny Knoxville Talks Jackass Stunts And How They Compare To Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible Work
on Napoli owner admits he ‘knew’ Victor Osimhen would end up at ‘Real Madrid, PSG or one English club’
on Quite Possibly The Most Elite Travel Credit Card One Can Have: What On Earth Is The Amex Centurion?
on Camilla Parker Bowles Revealed the ‘Nicest Thing’ She and Prince Charles Do When They Travel Is Free
on ‘1000-Lb. Sisters’ Tammy Slaton Is Still ‘Too Large’ to Fly in a Plane Despite All the Weight Loss
on Quite Possibly The Most Elite Travel Credit Card One Can Have: What On Earth Is The Amex Centurion?
on ‘1000-Lb. Sisters’ Tammy Slaton Is Still ‘Too Large’ to Fly in a Plane Despite All the Weight Loss
on Quite Possibly The Most Elite Travel Credit Card One Can Have: What On Earth Is The Amex Centurion?
on Camilla Parker Bowles Revealed the ‘Nicest Thing’ She and Prince Charles Do When They Travel Is Free
on ‘1000-Lb. Sisters’ Tammy Slaton Is Still ‘Too Large’ to Fly in a Plane Despite All the Weight Loss
on Dead Reckoning, a video shows the behind the scenes of the incredible upcoming film SparkChronicles
on Dallas Cowboys Will “Bring You Nothing But Bad Luck”, Sports Media Vet Warns Luka Doncic’s Mavericks
on ‘1000-Lb. Sisters’ Tammy Slaton Is Still ‘Too Large’ to Fly in a Plane Despite All the Weight Loss
on Lake Tahoe officials tackle overtourism with focus on management, not marketing; new fees may loom
on Erdogan to attend Turkey-Netherlands Euro 2024 quarterfinal amid diplomatic row with host Germany
on College sports giants struggle to get a bailout from Congress as athletes push for employee status
on Bryan’s Breakdown: Tracking high-impact winter storm late this week; bitter cold Christmas weekend
on Johnny Knoxville Talks Jackass Stunts And How They Compare To Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible Work
on Napoli owner admits he ‘knew’ Victor Osimhen would end up at ‘Real Madrid, PSG or one English club’
on Camilla Parker Bowles Revealed the ‘Nicest Thing’ She and Prince Charles Do When They Travel Is Free
on Can Tom Cruise Save The Box Office Again With Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning? An Investigation
on Gravitas Ventures Acquires North American Rights To Distribute Julia Camara Thriller ‘Stronghold ’
on 2024 College World Series: Jac Caglianone keeps Gators alive with homer despite short pitching start
on College basketball rankings: Kansas helps Big 12 lead conference race for most Top 100 And 1 players
on Ahead of big sports weekend, dispute with Disney leaves millions of cable subscribers in the dark
on ‘1000-Lb. Sisters’ Tammy Slaton Is Still ‘Too Large’ to Fly in a Plane Despite All the Weight Loss
on Boise State vs. Air Force live stream, odds, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on 2022 LIV Golf in Jeddah: Schedule, field of players, prize money, purse, live stream, watch online
on Can Tom Cruise Save The Box Office Again With Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning? An Investigation
on Erdogan to attend Turkey-Netherlands Euro 2024 quarterfinal amid diplomatic row with host Germany
on Ahead of big sports weekend, dispute with Disney leaves millions of cable subscribers in the dark
on A missile fired by Houthis strikes a US-owned vessel off Yemen in the Gulf of Aden, raising tensions
on Can Tom Cruise Save The Box Office Again With Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning? An Investigation
on “Bro Is Jogging”: Resurfaced Video of Usain Bolt’s 9.84 Seconds Run, Leaves Sports World in Denial
on Dave Portnoy: Taylor Swift’s security should ‘drag Kim Kardashian to jail’ if she attends Eras Tour
on CBS Sports, Serie A announce new TV rights deal; Paramount+ to air over 400 Italian soccer matches
on LIVALL Showcases Smart Helmets For Cyclists And Commuters At Pepcom Holiday Shopping Preview Event
on Can Tom Cruise Save The Box Office Again With Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning? An Investigation
on Mission: Impossible review: The new version makes it clear what these movies have always been about
on Can Tom Cruise Save The Box Office Again With Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning? An Investigation
on Disgraced sports doctor Larry Nassar stabbed multiple times at Florida federal prison: AP sources
on Lake Tahoe officials tackle overtourism with focus on management, not marketing; new fees may loom
on Can Tom Cruise Save The Box Office Again With Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning? An Investigation
on How The Other Half Fly: VistaJet Goes To Enviable Lengths To Make Air Travel Better For Your Body
on Following Exchange With Caitlin Clark At News Conference, Columnist Won’t Cover Indiana Fever Games
on Lake Tahoe officials tackle overtourism with focus on management, not marketing; new fees may loom
on Air Force vs. Utah State live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Disney Cruise Line Announces New Fireworks Show and More Details About ‘Silver Anniversary at Sea’
on Dozens of boats cruise the Seine in a rehearsal for the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony on July 26
on Southwest Airlines made $683 million in Q2, as a hectic summer travel season led to record revenue
on Cool classes on the Cape, a winter fest in Portland, and personal alarms for travel and daily life
on Friday’s preholiday travel breaks the record for the most airline travelers screened at US airports
on Lawyer Slams ‘Falsehoods’ About Katie Holmes as $400K Child Support from Tom Cruise Will End Soon
on Hollywood Reporter: Tom Cruise negotiated with movie studios over AI before the actors strike began
on Joe Manchin and Tommy Tuberville introduce bill on name, image and likeness rules for college sports
on Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on ‘1000-Lb. Sisters’ Tammy Slaton Is Still ‘Too Large’ to Fly in a Plane Despite All the Weight Loss
on A heavy wave of Russian missile attacks pounds areas across Ukraine, killing at least 4 civilians
on Kate Middleton’s ‘Important Skill’ She’s Spent Years Perfecting Could Save the Monarchy, Expert Says
on New Orleans Saints: Team shredded over free agency decision that smacks of ‘roster mismanagement’
on Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on Can Tom Cruise Save The Box Office Again With Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning? An Investigation