Which one of the following statements about a satellite orbiting aroun

Which one of the following statements about a satellite orbiting around the Earth is correct ?

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Satellite is kept in orbit by remote control from ground station.

Satellite is kept in orbit by retro-rocket and solar energy keeps it moving around the Earth.

Satellite requires energy from solar panels and solid fuels for orbiting.

Satellite does not require any energy for orbiting.

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-2 – 2017

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Once a satellite is placed into a stable orbit around the Earth, it does not require continuous energy input for orbiting itself. The motion is maintained by the balance between the satellite’s inertia (tendency to keep moving in a straight line) and the gravitational pull of the Earth, which continuously deflects it towards the Earth, causing it to follow a curved path (the orbit). It is essentially in a state of perpetual freefall around the Earth. Energy is required for launching the satellite into orbit and for maneuvers to adjust or maintain the orbit, but not for the fundamental motion of orbiting once the orbit is established.

– Satellites orbit due to the balance between inertia and Earth’s gravity.
– Orbital motion itself is a form of freefall.
– No continuous energy input is needed solely to *stay* in orbit.

While continuous energy is not needed for orbiting, satellites do require energy for various operations, such as powering scientific instruments, communication systems, onboard computers, and making small adjustments to maintain the orbit (orbital maintenance burns using fuel). Solar panels convert sunlight into electrical energy for these purposes and for charging batteries. Retro-rockets are primarily used for de-orbiting or changing orbits, not for sustaining the orbital motion itself.

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