Topic outline

  • Trek-A-Sat Middle School

    Students tracking a satellite electronically.Updated August 2023

    Written By: Frances Dellutri, Middle School/Intermediate Level SpacEdge Education Team, June 2016 
    SpacEdge Topic: Atmosphere, Centripetal Force, Computers, Mathematics, Micro-gravity, Free-fall, Orbital Mechanics, Physics, Satellites, Spacecraft, Weightlessness, Tracking Satellites\
    Grade (Age) Level: Grades 5-8 (Ages 10-13)  Key Topics Associated with Standards: Collecting, Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Gravitational Interactions; Forces and Motion, Relationship between Energy and Forces  US Standards:  NGSS: 
    • MS-ESS1-1 http://www.nextgenscience.org/pe/ms-ess1-1-earths-place-universe 
    • MS-PS2-4  http://www.nextgenscience.org/pe/ms-ps2-4-motion-and-stability-forces-and-interactions 
    • MS-PS2-5  http://www.nextgenscience.org/pe/ms-ps2-4-motion-and-stability-forces-and-interactions

     A satellite is moving overhead every few minutes and it's fun to be able to identify them, watch for them, and track them. This project gives great direction on how to track satellites overhead, both visually and electronically.

    Trek-A-Sat gives you the tools to track a satellite in the sky right now in real time! 


    If you would like to learn more about satellites, their orbits and the forces involved with orbiting satellites, log into The SpacEdge Academy and learn about satellites in the lesson called "Satellites - Understanding How They Work! "

    If you are ready to start tracking satellites, move ahead to join the lesson where you wish!

    INDEX
    Section 1. Trek-a-Sat
    Section 2. How to Track Satellites by Hand
    Section 3.  Looking at Factors That Affect the Orbit Time and Position of Satellites.
    Section 4. How did You Use this Lesson