When a meteor collides with a satellite, both the satellite and the meteor will be deflected from their original paths. This scenario can be likened to a collision between two billiard balls. In the case of an inelastic collision, where the meteor and satellite stick together, the total momentum after the impact will equal the sum of their momenta before the collision. This principle allows for the calculation of the kinetic energy converted to heat energy during the impact. Understanding these effects is crucial for predicting the aftermath of such collisions in space.