Satellites
Focus Questions
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Briefly summarise the BtN Satellites story.
How did satellite images help those in Cyclone Yasi’s path?
What sorts of functions do satellites perform?
What are the benefits of satellites?
All satellites are the same distance from Earth. True or False?
Describe what a geostationary satellite is and what is it used for?
How do satellites get into orbit?
Why does the weather bureau rely on satellites?
Illustrate an aspect of this story.
Name three facts you learnt from the Satellites story.
Satellites
Negotiate with students how many activities they will need to complete from each
section.
Remember and understand
Define the following terms: Natural satellite and artificial satellite. Give an
example of each.
Create an illustrated glossary of satellite words. Some words to include:
orbit, communication, navigation, gravity, launch.
Create a true or false quiz about satellites. Use the BtN Satellites script and
the internet to help write the questions.
Apply and Analyse
Choose a type of satellite to research in depth: Weather, communications,
navigation, military, scientific research.
Write a response to the following question: `How do satellites impact on
our daily life?’ Include in your response the benefits of satellites and
satellite imagery.
Investigate the world’s first artificial satellite, Sputnik. Collect some
interesting facts about Sputnik and reflect on why it was a significant
event in world history.
Evaluate and create
Understand how a satellite stays in orbit by completing the following task:
Put a tennis ball inside one leg of a pair of stockings. Hold the end of the
EPISODE 2
TH
15 FEBRUARY 2011
Learning Area
Science
Key learning
Students will investigate
different types of satellites
and the impact they have
on our lives.
stocking and whirl the ball over your head. The ball is held in its `orbit’
around your head by the stocking, which is similar to the force of gravity
that pulls satellites toward the Earth. If the `gravity’ of the stocking were
not acting on the ball, the ball would continue in one direction.
Research what happens to satellites when they stop working. Are they
repaired in orbit, brought back to Earth to be repaired or recycled, or left
in space? What are the potential hazards?
Satellite sighting information is available at the following NASA website
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/ Check which satellites can
be viewed from your location. There are some viewing tips at this website
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/help.html Report back to
your class what you saw as the satellite passed over.
Self assessment
What do you understand more clearly since completing these activities?
What would you do differently next time? Why?
 Related Research Links
ABC Behind the News – Spy satellites
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/v3/stories/s1385249.htm
NASA – What is a satellite?
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/features/what-is-a-satellite-58.html
Astronomy WA – What is a satellite?
http://www.astronomywa.net.au/education/astronomy-primers/43-satellites/182-what-isa-satellite
Bureau of Meteorology – Satellite images
http://www.bom.gov.au/satellite/index.shtml
How do satellites work?
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/kidszone/satellite/kidz/into_space.html
National Geographic – History of satellites
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/eye/satellites.html