How do satellites stay in orbit around the Earth?

Satellites stay in orbit due to the balance between gravity and their forward velocity. When launched, a rocket propels a satellite at a high speed tangentially to Earth’s surface. Earth’s gravity continuously pulls it inward, but because of its sideways motion, it keeps “falling around” the planet rather than crashing into it. This creates a stable orbit. The required speed and altitude vary depending on the type of orbit — Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), or Geostationary Orbit (GEO). By maintaining this balance, satellites can circle Earth for years without additional propulsion.