Why don't satellites fall from space? Kuya Kim explains

Humans have been launching artificial satellites to the earth's orbit since 1957.

Over six decades later, have you ever wondered how many satellites are now in the outer space?

According to Kuya Kim's report on "24 Oras Weekend," Sunday, there are around 7,800 operational artificial satellites in space.

And they don't fall down to Earth for a reason: the balance of gravity and the centrifugal force.

"Habang nasa space kasi 'yong mga satellites natin, umiikot lang siya habang nagtutumble sa Earth," said Engr. Paul Jason Co of the Stamina4Space Program.

A satellite is a small object that revolves around a bigger object. That means the moon is a satellite, and the Earth is also a satellite.

Because they are not man-made, they are known as natural satellites.

The first artificial satellite is Russia's Sputnik I, while the first satellite designed by a Filipino is the Diwata-1 launched in 2016.

The biggest artificial satellite is the International Space Station. Its main part is the size of a five-bedroom house. Including its solar panels, it measures 109 meters long or the size of an American football field.

The ISS is the third brightest object in the night sky and can be seen by the naked eye.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News