When we speak of the term satellite, we are referring to those elements that orbit naturally or artificially around a celestial body and that can have different functions or objectives according to their origin. The word satellite comes from Latin satelles, a word that meant 'what was around or around someone' and that was normally used to designate those soldiers or guards in charge of the special protection of a king or sovereign.
Satellites can be classified as natural or artificial, this being the most important differentiation that can be found. When we speak of natural satellites we are referring to the celestial bodies that orbit naturally around the planets and that can vary not only in terms of size but also in terms of many other physical or geological features. In this sense, the Moon is undoubtedly the natural satellite best known to humans, the only one that man has been able to reach and get to know personally. In almost all cases, natural satellites are smaller than the planets they accompany, although, in some cases such as the Moon, they can present characteristics so similar to those of the planet that they also fall within the denomination of binary systems. of planets.
On the other hand, artificial satellites are those that have been created voluntarily by man and placed in the orbit of different planets to better understand their physical, atmospheric and geological characteristics. These satellites are specially prepared to orbit around the selected celestial body, although sometimes they can even come to rest on its surface. Since their creation, artificial satellites have been one of the most fabulous inventions of man since they represent the only true opportunity to get closer to the remaining celestial bodies that are part of the Solar System, celestial bodies that otherwise could only be known through the astronomy.
Today, artificial satellites are very high-tech equipment as they are duly prepared to remain in operation for a long time, carry out very diverse types of actions, withstand different climatic and atmospheric conditions and even be canceled when man so wishes.
