A natural satellite or moon is a celestial body that orbits a planet or smaller body, which is called the primary. Technically, the term natural satellite could refer to a planet orbiting a star, or a dwarf galaxy orbiting a major galaxy, but it is normally synonymous with moon and used to identify non-artificial satellites of planets, dwarf planets, and minor planets. (There are no known natural satellites of moons.)

Two hundred and forty bodies, all in the Solar System, are classified as moons. They include 166 orbiting the eight planets,[1] 4 orbiting dwarf planets, and dozens more orbiting small solar system bodies. Other stars and their planets are very likely to have natural satellites, although none have yet been observed.

The first of the new generation Inmarsat 4 (I-4) satellites was launched on 11 March 2005, and is now fully operational, carrying the full set of digital communications services that was previously carried on its predecessor, the Inmarsat-3 satellite in the Indian Ocean region.

The introduction of Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) services will begin later this year, delivering broadband data and voice through mobile satellite terminals. With the second I-4 satellite scheduled for launch in the autumn of 2005, BGAN will offer broadband services to mobile users almost anywhere on the planet.