SOLAR SYSTEM

Detailed explanation-1: -A geosynchronous satellite is a satellite that orbits the earth with an orbital period of 24 hours, thus matching the period of the earth’s rotational motion. A special class of geosynchronous satellites is a geostationary satellite.

Detailed explanation-2: -Satellites in geostationary orbit rotate with the Earth directly above the equator, continuously staying above the same spot. This position allows satellites to observe weather and other phenomena that vary on short timescales.

Detailed explanation-3: -A satellite maintains its orbit by balancing two factors: its velocity (the speed it takes to travel in a straight line) and the gravitational pull that Earth has on it. A satellite orbiting closer to the Earth requires more velocity to resist the stronger gravitational pull.

Detailed explanation-4: -A geostationary satellite is an earth-orbiting satellite, placed at an altitude of approximately 35, 800 kilometers (22, 300 miles) directly over the equator, that revolves in the same direction the earth rotates (west to east).

Detailed explanation-5: -A geostationary satellite completes one orbit revolution in circular orbit, round the Earth, every 24 h.

Detailed explanation-6: -Satellites in geostationary orbit (GEO) circle Earth above the equator from west to east following Earth’s rotation – taking 23 hours 56 minutes and 4 seconds – by travelling at exactly the same rate as Earth. This makes satellites in GEO appear to be ‘stationary’ over a fixed position.

Detailed explanation-7: -A geostationary orbit is actually a type of geosynchronous orbit. The key difference between a geostationary orbit and a geosynchronous orbit is while the latter can have any inclination, the former orbit sees satellites permanently ‘parked’ over the plane of Earth’s equator.