Look up on a clear evening, and you might spot something moving steadily among the stars, a speck of light crossing the night sky. It’s easy to feel small under such a vast universe. But did you know that, circling high above us, thousands of satelitter (satellites, in Norwegian plural) are working nonstop? They’re so quiet and remote, most people never give them a thought. Yet their impact on our lives is immense.
Whether you’re double-checking directions before a road trip, calling a friend on the other side of the world, or scrolling through the latest weather updates, they are making it possible. But what are these orbital machines? How did it become such a crucial part of everyday living? Let’s unravel the mystery and see what makes it one of humanity’s greatest inventions.
Satelitter: What’s in a Name?
At its simplest, “satelitter” means more than one. In Norwegian Bokmål, it’s the plural of “satellitt.” While our own Moon is Earth’s natural satellite, most people today are talking about the artificial variety. These are satelitter built and launched by people and sent up, not for beauty, but for important jobs: relaying telephone calls, guiding boats and airplanes, or observing changes in nature.
Since the late 1950s, it has slowly transitioned from rare, experimental technology to everyday tools. Today, with improved technology and lower costs, they are multiplying at a rapid pace.
A Journey from Fantasy to Reality
They used to exist only in the realm of science fiction and wild imagination. All that changed in 1957, when Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, was launched by the Soviet Union. Not much bigger than a beach ball, it beeped as it circled the Earth and showed the world that they were no longer just an idea.
That first beep triggered a race. More countries joined the effort, launching their own. By the 1960s, the United States had joined the party with its own set of missions, followed quickly by others. Soon, they were everywhere studying weather, relaying TV signals, trying to dial in on new scientific mysteries.
Decades later, launching them is a regular occurrence. Countries and companies from all corners of the globe design and send up these machines. It’s not unusual for a single rocket to blast off carrying dozens, even hundreds, of satelitter.
How Do Satelitter Float in Space?
Standing outside, it’s hard to picture how they can “float” so high above our heads. The answer is less magic, more physics. They are jetted into space at a speed so fast that as they fall toward Earth, they also move forward far enough to miss it so they keep circling instead of crashing. This delicate dance is called being in orbit.
To power their journeys, most satelitter rely on the sun. Solar panels unfold to gather sunlight, charging batteries for use during the dark parts of their circle. For fine-tuned adjustments or to steer out of danger, thrusters gently push them into position.
Of course, they don’t just float around for fun. They’re busy sending, receiving, or processing signals all the time. Tiny transmitters and sensitive receivers allow them to bridge distances that once kept people, communities, and ideas apart.
Satelitter Are Not All Alike
The word “satelitter” might make you imagine rows of identical machines. But the truth is, they are as varied as the jobs they perform. Here’s a look at some of the main types you’ll find circling the planet:
Communication
The world is a much smaller place, thanks to communication satelitter. These machines pass along phone calls, television programs, and even your web browsing. Many sit in what’s called geostationary orbit, always hovering over the same spot on Earth, which allows receiving dishes on the ground to “lock on” easily. Newer mini versions circle closer in big swarms, passing information lightning-fast to keep up with our growing appetite for data.
Navigation
If you’ve ever followed a blue dot on a map app, you’re using navigation satelitter. GPS from the United States, Galileo from Europe, and Russia’s GLONASS are all examples of these. They circle Earth constantly, broadcasting signals that let your phone or car work out your exact location whether you’re climbing a mountain or navigating city streets.
Observation
They keep Earth under constant watch. Meteorologists rely on them to predict storms and hurricanes. Farmers use satelitter images to check on crops and soil. These trusty machines can spot deforestation, track shrinking glaciers, and help first responders reach disaster zones. Each observation satellite is loaded with cameras or sensors and a set of digital eyes in the sky.
Scientific and Research
Some satelitter chase the Sun, study the makeup of Earth’s atmosphere, or scan for cosmic rays. Space telescopes are perhaps the most exciting: by floating above Earth’s weather and air, they can capture crisp, detailed images of distant planets, stars, and galaxies revealing secrets that can’t be seen from the ground.
One Sky, So Many Satelitter
The wave of new satelitter isn’t slowing. As orbits grow more crowded, the risk of collisions and debris becomes serious. Each broken or defunct satellite, sometimes as small as a forgotten bolt, can damage working ones. If one smashes into another, it can make hundreds of new pieces of dangerous debris.
To prevent accidents, modern satelitter often include special features to self-destruct safely. Some have engines that steer them down into the atmosphere, where they flare out harmlessly. New ideas, like them built from biodegradable materials, may help keep space neat and safe for generations to come.
What Would Life Be Like Without Satelitter?
Try to imagine a day without satelitter. Planes would lose precise routes, ships would return to old-fashioned navigation methods, and getting news from faraway places could take hours or days instead of seconds. Cash machines, shipping, internet, and even parts of the global economy rely on these silent workers circling above.
They are there for the little moments and the big on sending emergency alerts, carrying live sports, helping rescue teams during disasters, and connecting rural communities to education.
The Next Chapter: More Satelitter, New Uses
In the years ahead, they will only get smaller, cheaper, and smarter. Projects are underway to launch thousands more. Many will bring reliable, affordable internet to villages with no connections today. Others might work together in groups to scan forests, track wildlife, or monitor fishing boats in real time.
We may even see it repairing each other or gathering energy in space to send down to Earth. The possibilities grow as engineers and dreamers keep innovating.
FAQs
What does “satelitter” mean?
It’s the Norwegian plural for “satellite,” and usually refers to artificial satelitter orbiting Earth.
How many satelitter are up there?
As of 2025, there are around 8,000 active satelitter, with many thousands more planned for the coming years.
What happens to old satelitter?
Newer ones are designed to burn up on reentry. Older or broken people sometimes become space junk until they drift down and are destroyed by the atmosphere.
Why are satelitter important?
From safe flights and global weather forecasts to instant messages and emergency services, satelitter are woven into daily life.
