What two primary physical factors dictate whether a satellite successfully maintains its required orbit?
Answer
Its altitude and velocity
The fundamental physics governing a stable orbit relies on a precise equilibrium between two continuous forces relating to the satellite's state of motion. The satellite must maintain a sufficient sideways velocity to perpetually move past the Earth, balanced against the downward force of gravity causing it to continuously fall toward the planet. If the altitude is too low for the speed, it crashes; if the speed is too low for the altitude, it spirals down due to drag or falls into a lower orbit. Thus, the combination of the altitude and the velocity dictates the success of this continuous balancing act.
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