What is the effect of constant speed on a satellite's orbital path?

When a satellite is traveling at a constant speed in orbit, it is balanced by the gravitational pull of the Earth. This balance of forces is crucial for maintaining the satellite's orbital path. The satellite is constantly moving forward due to its velocity, while gravity acts to pull it toward the Earth. If the speed is correct for the altitude of the orbit, the satellite will continuously fall towards the Earth but also move forward, creating a curved path that keeps it in orbit rather than crashing down.

Maintaining a constant speed ensures that this balance is preserved. If the satellite were to change its speed significantly, it might either move closer to the Earth or escape into a higher orbit, neither of which would maintain a stable orbit at that current altitude. This dynamic is essential for the functioning of satellites, which rely on this constant speed to follow a stable, circular or elliptical path around the Earth.