Why do satellites revolve around the Earth only in the west to east direction? why not from some other direction

You must have heard that such and such a satellite has been launched which is revolving in the Earth’s orbit. But all satellites revolve around the Earth only in the west to east direction. What is the reason behind this? Why not turn in some other direction? There is entire space outside the Earth and a lot of space is also empty, in such a situation why is this direction taken? The same question was asked on the online platform Quora, to which many users answered. Actually, there is human mind and science behind it.

When we launch a satellite from the Earth, it is launched into the Earth’s orbit at a very high speed so that the Earth’s gravitational influence has minimal effect on it. Launch does not mean sending out of Earth’s orbit. Because if it goes out, it will be lost in space and we will not be able to get any information about the Earth from it. Because it will be impossible to contact him. Therefore, it is launched from a particular angle so that it can fit into the Earth’s orbit.

satellites rotating in the same direction as the earth
Now the answer to the original question. The Earth always rotates on its axis like a loop from west to east. Its speed is 1000 miles i.e. 1600 kilometers per hour. The satellite is accelerated to this speed during launch, so that it starts rotating with the Earth. It takes 24 hours for the satellite to complete one revolution around the Earth. Meaning, the satellite also completes one revolution in the same time as the Earth takes to rotate once on its axis. That is why the satellite appears almost stationary in the sky when viewed from the ground.

That is why the direction is decided from west to east.
But the answer to why satellites revolve in this direction only is that due to rotation with the Earth, the satellite does not require additional fuel to run. He keeps roaming on very less fuel. If we take a different direction than this, we will have to move against the Earth’s gravity and a lot of strength will be required. For this, the satellite will have to do a lot of work, which will require a lot of fuel.

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Tags: Science News Today, Space Science