Why don't satellites fall to Earth?

Answer: Their sideways speed makes them fall around Earth

Engines keep firing to hold them up — Wrong. Most satellites don't fire engines continuously; they coast along their orbit without any thrust.

The atmosphere buoys them up like a cushion — Wrong. Satellites orbit far above most of the atmosphere, and the thin remaining air actually creates drag that gradually lowers their orbit.

Their sideways speed makes them fall around Earth ✓ — Correct! Satellites are in free fall, constantly pulled by gravity, but they move sideways fast enough that as they fall, Earth's surface curves away at the same rate. They're perpetually falling around Earth—an orbit!