Geosynchronous

an
Geostationary
d
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
Communication Satellites
Orbit
orbital period = 23 h 56 min 4 s
height = ?
T= 4∏ r 2 3
4∏ r
2 3
m2 T =
2
G M1 √ G M1
r r = T2 G M1
3

M1 4∏ 2

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

r=3 (86164) (6.67⋅10 ) (5.97⋅10 )

2 -11 24

r
4∏ 2

√
M1 r = 4.22⋅10 m
7
= 42,164 km
h = 42,164 km - 6371km = 35,793 km
The
End