Table of Contents
What does a geostationary orbit do?
A geosynchronous orbit is a high Earth orbit that allows satellites to match Earth’s rotation. Located at 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometers) above Earth’s equator, this position is a valuable spot for monitoring weather, communications and surveillance.
How does a geosynchronous transfer orbit work?
This is called a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). The spacecraft then circularizes the orbit by turning parallel to the equator at apoapsis and firing its rocket engine. That engine is usually called an apogee motor.
What is the main observation advantage of a geostationary satellite?
The geostationary orbit is used by many applications including direct broadcast as well as communications or relay systems. The geostationary orbit has the advantage that the satellite remains in the same position throughout the day, and antennas can be directed towards the satellite and remain on track.
What is the most important application of geostationary satellite?
A worldwide network of operational geostationary meteorological satellites is used to provide visible and infrared images of Earth’s surface and atmosphere for weather observation, oceanography, and atmospheric tracking.
What is the benefit of geostationary orbit?
Why do satellites remain in geostationary orbit?
Communications satellites are often placed in a geostationary orbit so that Earth-based satellite antennas (located on Earth) do not have to rotate to track them but can be pointed permanently at the position in the sky where the satellites are located.
What is transfer orbit?
A geosynchronous transfer orbit or geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) is a Hohmann transfer orbit—an elliptical orbit used to transfer between two circular orbits of different radii in the same plane—used to reach geosynchronous or geostationary orbit using high-thrust chemical engines.
How far above the Earth is geostationary orbit?
A geostationary orbit, often referred to as a geosynchronous equatorial orbit (GEO), is a circular geosynchronous orbit 35,786 km (22,236 mi) above Earth’s equator and following the direction of Earth’s rotation.
What is a GTO orbit?
Geostationary transfer orbit. A geosynchronous transfer orbit or geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) is a Hohmann transfer orbit used to reach geosynchronous or geostationary orbit. It is a highly elliptical Earth orbit with apogee of 42,164 km (26,199 mi).