Geosynchronous

and
Geostationary
Orbits
Geosynchronous Geostationary

Earth day 23 hours 56 minutes and 4 seconds

 Geosynchronous Orbit
A geosynchronous satellite has an orbital period that
is equal to the rotational period of the Earth.
Does not stay in the same place above Earth.
Comes back to same place above Earth each day.

Geostationary Orbit
A geosynchronous satellite has an orbital period that
is equal to the rotational period of the Earth.
It stays above the same place on Earth.
Occurs only when the orbit is at the equator.
 Geosynchronous Orbit
Communication Satellites
orbital period = 23 h 56 min 4 s
height = ? 4 ∏ 2 r3
T= 2 4 ∏ 2 r3
√ G M1 T =
m2 G M1
r r3 = T2 G M1

4∏2
M1
r= 3 T2 G M1
√ 4∏2
 Geosynchronous Orbit
Communication Satellites
orbital period = 23 h, 56 min, 4 s = 86164 s
height = ? 3 T2 G M1
r=
m2 √ 4∏2

r= 3 (86164)2 (6.67⋅10-11) (5.97⋅1024)

r
√ 4∏2
M1 r = 4.22⋅107 m = 42,164 km
h = 42,164 km - 6371km = 35,793 km
The End