Why don't satellites fall to Earth?

Answer: Orbital velocity balances gravity

Engines keep them floating — Wrong. Most satellites don't fire engines continuously. They orbit because their sideways velocity balances gravitational pull—continuous free fall around Earth.

Orbital velocity balances gravity ✓ — Correct! Satellites are in free fall, constantly being pulled by gravity. But they move sideways fast enough (~8 km/s for low orbit) that as they fall, Earth's surface curves away at the same rate. They're perpetually falling around Earth—an orbit! Velocity too slow = crash; too fast = escape. Perfect balance = stable orbit!

Atmosphere holds them up — Wrong. Satellites orbit above most atmosphere (~200+ km). Thin remaining air creates drag, gradually lowering orbits without periodic boosts.