Satellites orbit at different altitudes depending on their purpose. Here's a breakdown:

* Low Earth Orbit (LEO): 160-2,000 kilometers (100-1,240 miles)

* Most common type, used for:

* Earth observation (weather, mapping)

* Navigation (GPS)

* Communication (mobile phones)

* Space research

* Medium Earth Orbit (MEO): 2,000-35,786 kilometers (1,240-22,236 miles)

* Used for:

* Navigation (GPS)

* Communication (satellite TV)

* Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO): 35,786 kilometers (22,236 miles)

* Satellites in GEO appear to stay in the same spot over the Earth.

* Used for:

* Broadcasting (TV, radio)

* Communication

* Weather monitoring

Beyond Earth Orbit:

* High Earth Orbit (HEO): Anything above GEO

* Lunar orbit: Orbits around the moon

* Interplanetary: Traveling between planets

Here's a simple way to think about it:

* LEO: Imagine a plane flying very high, but still within the Earth's atmosphere.

* MEO: Like a plane flying even higher, but still within the Earth's gravitational pull.

* GEO: Imagine a satellite so high it appears stationary above a specific spot on Earth.

Remember, these are just general ranges, and the exact altitude can vary depending on the specific satellite.