A method and apparatus for changing the orbit of an artificial satellite. The apparatus is caused to approach a target satellite and to be coupled thereto in space so as to constitute a dumbbell-like coupled system. The apparatus has a propulsion unit. The unit generates a thrust, whereby the velocity of the center of gravity of the apparatus increases, and the apparatus rotates around the center of gravity. As a result, the coupling system is placed in transition orbit.In the transition orbit, the coupled system is released at a timing when the direction of elongation of the coupled system becomes perpendicular to the orbital velocity vector. Subsequently, the target satellite is placed in a final target orbit, and the separated orbit changing apparatus is placed in an orbit different from the target orbit.