An Afternoon Without Satellites.
Match the examples with the correct satellite function!
Enables TV and phone signals
Predicts weather and climate
Helps find locations and directions
Takes pictures of Earth and space.
Communication
Weather
Navigation
Observation
It was growing dark outside, and a light drizzle tapped gently against the window. Inside, the soft glow of the television filled the room. Eli was perched near the screen, watching the evening news, while I flipped between my comic book and the broadcast. The cheerful weather presenter announced, “Rain tomorrow morning, but sunshine by afternoon!” Then the news shifted. A serious-looking man replaced the presenter and said, “A collision has occurred between a satellite and a space object, believed to be an asteroid”.
Eli leaned in, her expression turning serious. That caught my attention, and I looked up from my book.
“Eli…,” I asked nervously, “why do you look so worried? What’s a satellite? The gentleman mentioned a collision with an asteroid. Do you think we’re in danger?” Eli turned to me calmly. “Don’t worry, Riri. The collision happened far away, in the part of space where satellites orbit the Earth. We’re safe here.”
But I wasn’t reassured. I didn’t even really know what a satellite was. Eli noticed my confused look. She came up with an idea: “Professor Poki knows much about satellite technology and can help us understand how satellites work and their importance”.
So, despite the drizzle, we put on our raincoats and hurried through the dim streets to Poki’s lab. When we arrived, we found him, as expected, watching the same news report on his own television.
When he saw us, he immediately understood the reason for our visit and asked: “Do you want to know more about satellites?”
Then, he explained: “Anything that orbits around a planet in space is called a satellite of that planet. As you probably know, the Earth has one natural satellite, the Moon. But there are also a large number of artificial satellites that humans have built. These are launched into space by rockets that leave them orbiting the Earth at a very high speed”.
I started asking, “But why do we put satellites into space?
What are they for?”
Just as Poki was about to answer, Eli’s eyes flicked back to the television. She said, “Although we’re in no danger, it looks like the satellite accident will affect our afternoon a bit.” She said, “Look Riri. Listen to what they’re saying on the TV!”
I tried to understand, but nothing made sense to me. All they were talking about on the TV was mobile phone failures, lack of internet, and security failures, and suddenly, even the TV stopped showing any screen at all. “Wait… What’s happening?” I asked, confused and alarmed. “What does a satellite in space have to do with our phones or the internet?”
Professor Poki tried to calm me down, “Riri, when you understand how satellites work, you’ll understand their impact on our everyday lives. Then it will be easier for you to understand the impact of the satellite broken by this accident.”
Professor Poki showed a picture of a satellite receiving signals and sending them back to Earth. He added, “Satellites are like eyes and messengers in space. They help us communicate, navigate, and even predict the weather.”. Then, he challenged us to play a fun game.
He opened a simulation game on his computer. “Let’s try something fun. In this game, each of you will protect different satellites by clicking on the asteroids before they collide with them. Ready?”
My eyes lit up. “Let’s do it!” In the game, I saved a communications satellite by destroying an approaching asteroid. Suddenly, in the game world, phones started ringing, the internet returned, and TV screens lit up again.
Eli played next and saved the weather satellite. In the game, people could now see accurate forecasts! No more picnics in the rain or windless windsurfing adventures!
Then Professor Poki joined in. He saved the GPS satellite, and suddenly, lost travelers found their routes, airplanes landed safely, and ships navigated smoothly into harbors. We were laughing and cheering together. Even in a game, it felt like we were saving the world!
As the simulation ended, I looked up, amazed. “Now I understand! Satellites are behind so much of what we use everyday: phones, weather forecasts, GPS, internet… everything!” Professor Poki smiled, “Exactly. Satellites are vital tools. They orbit silently above us, helping Earth in ways we often don’t see, but rely on constantly.”
Eli nodded. “And it’s not just science, it’s teamwork between Earth and space!” What had started as a scary news story turned into a lesson about technology, connection, and the hidden helpers circling high above our world.