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A polar orbit is an Orbit in which a Satellite passes above or nearly above both of the Geographical poles of the body (usually a planet such as the Earth, but possibly another body such as the Sun being orbited on each revolution. It therefore has an Inclination of (or very close to) 90 degrees to the Equator. Except in the special case of a polar Geosynchronous orbit, a satellite in a polar orbit will pass over the equator at a different Longitude on each of its orbits.

A geostationary orbit (GEO) is a circular orbit directly above the Earth's Equator From the ground, a geostationary object appears motionless in the sky and is therefore the Orbit of most interest to operators of Communication Satellites. Their orbital periods (time taken to revolve around earth) is exactly the same as the planet's (such as Earth's) rotational period. The Geosynchronous orbit is approximately 36,000 km above Earth's surface.
geostionary satellites are positioned at an exact height above the earth, at this height they orbit the earth at the same speed at which the earth rotates on its axis whereas polar satellites have a much lower orbit, orbiting the earth quite quickly, scanning different areas of the earth at fairly infrequent periods.

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10y ago
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14y ago

Satellites orbit in various times depending on their altitude. Geostationary satellites are, in fact, orbiting satellites. But there is one primary difference between them and other orbiting satellites. If a satellite is at approximately 35,786 km (22,240 miles) over the equator, then it will take exactly 24 hours to orbit and appear to be stationary from the Earth. A satellite in this orbit is said to be geostationary. And this satellite will be ideal for use as a communication satellite because a satellite dish on Earth does not have to move to track the satellite across the sky. ---- Because a geostationary satellite is synchonized with the Earth's rotation in this manner, it does not orbit "around" the world as other satellites do.

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8y ago

A satellite in a polar orbit passes over both poles on each orbit. The earth rotates under that orbit so in a short time a satellite in polar orbit will pass over most of the earth's surface.

A satellite in geostationary orbit is in an orbit over the equator at a distance of 22,500 miles above the surface. At that distance, its angular motion in orbit is the same as the earth's angular rotation, so it stays above the same spot on the earth's surface and so seems to be stationary to someone standing on the earth.

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9y ago

It is a simple difference,geostationary satellites are placed near the equator and polar satellites are placed near poles.

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11y ago

hirap talaga maging tanga sa libro meron..

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Q: What are the main differences between geostationary orbit and polar orbit?
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What is the difference between a Landsat satellite and a GOES satellite?

Among one of many differences is that Landsat is Polar-orbiting while GOES is geostationary. This also means that GOES is much further above the surface, so the resolution is poorer.


What type of orbit does a weather satellite have and why?

The polar orbit so that it can measure cold and hot points around the entire earth :)


Why a polar orbit is not suitable for satellite television?

it is too cold and there is no power lines to get signal


Why are there places on earth that experience polar days and polar nights?

i think because of the Earth's elliptical orbit, less sunlight reaches these places at the aphelion. =)


What is the Difference between PSLV and GSLV?

Both PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) and GSLV are (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) are launch Indian vehicles used to launch satellites into polar orbit and geosyncronous orbits respectively. The PSLV can launch satellites into sun synchronous orbits i. e. in such a way that an object on that orbit passes over any given point of the Earth's surface at the same local solar time. The GSLV launch satellites into geostationary orbit. Geostationary orbits cause a satellite to appear stationary with respect to a fixed point on the rotating Earth. That is, if you were standing directly below a geosyncronous satellite it would always be directly above you. The PSLV is a four-stage launch vehicle with the first stage being solid-propelled, the second liquid-propelled and third solid and the final stage cryogenic liquid. It required parts obtained from Russia. The GSLV is a three-stage launch vehicle with the first stage being solid-propelled, the second liquid-propelled and the final stage being cryogenically propelled. It was developed by India partly to free itself from dependence on Russia.

Related questions

What is the minimum number of satellites needed to cover the whole Earth?

The absolute minimum number is for momentary complete cover is 4 in a triangular prism shape, but these will not stay in the right positions as they are not in a geostationary orbit. 3 in geostationary orbit will give very bad and failing coverage at the poles and at the outer edge of their footprint 6, 3 in polar orbit and 3 in geostationary orbit will help, but for a practical coverage 4 in geostationary orbit and 4 in polar orbit will be more practical


Is the ISS a geostationary orbit or a polar orbit?

Neither. A polar orbit means that the station orbits at an inclination of about 90 degrees North (or South). This can occur at any reasonable altitude (apogee or perigee), typically around 250 and 350 miles. A geostationary orbit MUST have an inclination of 0 degrees--above the equator; AND have an apogee/perigee between 22,000--23,000 miles. The ISS was built and intended to be visited by the Space Shuttle. The Space Shuttle was incapable of orbiting higher than 500 miles. So if the ISS were in a geosynchronous orbit, the Shuttle could never have reached it. One of the disadvantages of a polar orbit is that one loses the velocity benefit of Earth's Eastward rotation. It takes extra fuel to place the same payload at the same altitude in a polar orbit, versus a typical Eastward orbit. The ISS is in a Low-Earth orbit with an apogee/perigee of about 250 miles, and an inclination of about 57 degrees.


Why don't launch geostationary satellite for GPS?

Because they can't provide worldwide coverage. To cover near-polar areas, inclined orbits are necessaries. Since the geostationary orbit must lay on the equatorial plane, it doesn't suit to fit GPS requirements.


What is the difference between a Landsat satellite and a GOES satellite?

Among one of many differences is that Landsat is Polar-orbiting while GOES is geostationary. This also means that GOES is much further above the surface, so the resolution is poorer.


What is a polar highly elliptical satellite used for?

It is used for communication plates where geostationary satellites can't reach, in polar areas. Russia uses elliptical satellites where the geostationary satellites can't reach.


What is the polar orbit used for and why?

a polar orbit is not a type of geosyhchronous orbit.


What are the strategic locations of satellites?

There are two special locations for satellites: * geostationary orbits * polar orbits For satellite communication, it is very convenient if one can align fixed ground antenna to point at the satellite. The only way to get a satellite to stay exactly in front of a fixed ground antenna is to put it in geostationary orbit -- an altitude of 35,786 km above sea level above the equator. Other than geostationary orbit, there are a few other orbits that hold a satellite approximately in front of a fixed ground antenna for several hours -- the Molniya orbit and the Tundra orbit. Satellites designed to take photos of Earth (weather satellites, spy satellites, etc.) are typically in a polar orbit. Sooner or later, a satellite in polar orbit will end up directly overhead any given point on Earth. Typically these satellites are in an orbit very roughly 1000 km above sea level (roughly 100 minute orbit), because higher orbits are more expensive, and orbits less than a few hundred km rapidly decay from air friction.


What are the physical differences between polar and nonpolar molecules?

polarity... polar is the mid- range; nonpolar is the least polar.


Is fumaric acid polar or non-polar?

Flurosulfonic acid is polar because of the differences between the electronegativities of its atoms and its geometry.


What are some uses of satellites orbiting the earth?

The difference is in the tilt of the plane of the orbit relative to the Earth's equator, which is zero for geostationary and 90 degrees for polar-orbit.


What are the two main types of satellites?

The main type of satellites are: 1) Geostationary 2) Polar


What orbit are monitoring satellites put into?

Polar orbit