What Are Satellites and What Do They Do?

SciShow Kids

Join Jessi and Squeaks the Robot Rat in this engaging introduction to satellites and space exploration. The video begins with a mystery as the duo spots a steady, moving light in the night sky, leading to an investigation into what satellites are and how to identify them. It distinguishes between natural satellites, like the Moon, and the artificial ones launched by humans, explaining their basic construction including computers, solar panels, and scientific instruments. The content explores the history of space flight, introducing Sputnik as the first human-made satellite launched in 1957, and contrasts it with the thousands of satellites orbiting today. It breaks down the critical jobs these machines perform, from monitoring Earth's climate and tracking weather patterns to enabling GPS navigation and global communication. The video makes complex technology relatable by showing how students use satellite tech in their daily lives through phones and television. Finally, the video tours the largest artificial satellite in existence: the International Space Station (ISS). Students get a glimpse into astronaut life, learning that people live and conduct experiments in space for months at a time. This resource is excellent for elementary science units on space, technology, or Earth systems, helping students understand the connection between what they see in the sky and the technology they use on the ground.