What happens to old satellites in space?

In one line

The rule

Satellites that are no longer working become space debris (space junk) or re-enter Earth's atmosphere, where most burn up due to friction.

Let's understand it simply

Imagine you are flying a kite. If you let go, the kite might fall to the ground or get stuck in a tree. Old satellites are like that kite. When they stop working, they do not have anyone to control them. Some slowly fall towards Earth, while others just keep circling high above us, stuck in space.

How it works

1. A satellite works for a set number of years (like a mobile phone's battery life).
2. When it stops working, it can't control its movement anymore.
3. If it is close to Earth (low orbit), Earth's gravity pulls it down.
4. As it falls, it enters the atmosphere and heats up due to friction (rubbing with air).
5. Most burn up and turn to dust before reaching the ground.
6. Some satellites, far from Earth (high orbit), stay in space for a very long time as space junk.

The story behind it

The first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched by the Soviet Union in 1957. It stayed in orbit for a few months before falling back to Earth and burning up. Since then, thousands of satellites have been launched. Now, scientists worry about old satellites turning into space junk, which can be dangerous for new missions.

Where you see it in real life

• TV news: Sometimes you hear about a satellite "re-entering" Earth's atmosphere and burning up.
• Space station: Astronauts on the International Space Station must watch out for space junk.
• ISRO missions: Indian scientists plan satellite launches carefully to avoid hitting old satellites.
• Meteor showers: Sometimes, burning satellites look like shooting stars, but most meteors are natural.
• Satellite tracking apps: You can use apps to see where satellites and space junk are above your city.

Why it matters

• Space junk can hit working satellites and damage them.
• Too much junk makes it harder and riskier to launch new satellites.
• Important for ISRO and other space agencies to plan safe paths.
• Cleaning up space junk is a new job for future scientists and engineers.

Common mistakes

• Thinking all old satellites fall to Earth: Many stay in space for years as junk.
• Believing satellites always crash on land: Most burn up high in the sky and never reach the ground.
• Mixing up satellites and meteors: Meteors are natural rocks; satellites are man-made.

Remember it

Old satellites either burn up in the sky or become space junk circling Earth.