The term for the natural satellite that orbits the Earth is "the Moon." The Moon is Earth's only permanent natural satellite and is the fifth-largest satellite in the solar system. It plays a crucial role in affecting the Earth's tides due to its gravitational pull. The Moon has a significant cultural, scientific, and philosophical impact on humanity, appearing in myths, literature, and art throughout history. It is also an object of scientific study, with various missions, including those by NASA, aiming to explore its surface and potential for future human activity.