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

A satellite in orbit travels at a constant speed, which is essential for maintaining its stable orbital path around a celestial body, such as the Earth. This constant speed ensures that the gravitational force acting on the satellite is balanced by the centrifugal force due to its motion.

When a satellite is in orbit, it is effectively in free fall towards the Earth, but because it also has a forward velocity, it keeps missing the Earth. The combination of this constant speed and the gravitational pull allows the satellite to remain in a consistent trajectory, keeping it in orbit.

If a satellite were to slow down or accelerate significantly, it could alter its orbital path, possibly leading to a change in altitude or an unstable orbit. However, maintaining constant speed at the right orbital altitude ensures that the forces acting on the satellite keep it in a stable orbit around the planet.