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There is only one geostationary orbit because in order for any mass m to orbit the Earth (ME) the gravitational force:

EQ1: Fg = GmME/r^2

has to be such that it is equal to the required centripetal force for uniform circular motion:

EQ2: Fc = mv^2/r

where v is the velocity of m at radius r (distance from the center of the Earth) and:

EQ3: v = 2(pi)(r)(f)

f is the frequency of rotation in revolutions per second. For geostationary orbit the satellite must be in a fixed position (it must have the same frequency of rotation or angular velocity as the Earth's rotation) relative to the Earth and orbit above the Earth's equator.

The necessary velocity to satisfy Fg = Fc is a specific value, therefore (since pi and f are fixed values) r is the only variable in EQ3. There is a specific orbital radius for geostationary orbit of any mass m.

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Q: Explain why there is only one geostationary orbit?
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What is a geostationary satellite?

Geostationary is the moving orbit in the plane of the equator. Geostationary satellites are 22,300 miles above the Earths surface, and remain stationary at a fixed point. Weather and communication satellites are examples of geostationary satellites.


What does a satellite do when its in geostationary orbit?

it's hot. ;)


Why must the Earth-based satellite dish face a fixed direction if it remains in the same location with respect to a geostationary satellite?

juhrinfhrihgyrtng


What are the main differences between geostationary orbit and polar orbit?

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.


Why does a geosynchronous satellite not trace a path over the surface of Earth?

A geostationary orbit achieved by being in a location where the satellite's orbital period is 24 hours. This means the satellite is about 36,000 km (22,000 miles) above the Earth's surface. All orbits must therefore be over the equator. Every orbit around the earth looks like a circular (or elliptical) ring whose center (or one foci) is at the center of gravity of the Earth. An orbit exactly above the equator is one such orbit, but any orbit can be tilted as long as the center (or focus) stays at the Earth's center and the whole orbit is flat like a disk. On various NASA maps this makes the orbit look like a sinewave, but on a globe it stays a flat circle (or ellipse). On "Star Trek" I have seen errors a number of times on "Geostationary orbit over the North Pole", well you can't do that. Likewise, a "Lunar-stationary orbit" is impossible for a spacecraft, since Earth itself is already IN THE STATIONARY ORBIT POSITION! Remember that a geostationary orbit looks like it is always over the same spot on the Earth (or other body). If you were on the Moon, the Earth would be in the same position in the sky at all times.

Related questions

What are two artificial satellites that orbit New Zealand?

Satellites cannot orbit one country. They may remain in geostationary orbit, but only at the equator. Therefore no satellite stays above only New Zealand.


What can you say about the orbit time of a satellite in lower orbit then geostationary one?

Its closer to the earth. Can say much more without know the velocity of the satellites


How does the satellite transmit tv programs inspite of the fact that it moves all the time?

Answer: A geostationary satellite is any satellite which is placed in a geostationary orbit. Satellites in geostationary orbit maintain a constant position relative to the surface of the earth. Geostationary satellites do this by orbiting the earth at approximately 22,300 miles above the equator. At this altitude, the speed of a satellite's rotation around the world is identical to the rotational speed of the world itself. While the satellite is actually moving; but moving at the same speed as the rotational speed of the world itself, it is always appears in the same azimuthal (angle); latitudinal and longitudinal position of the sky over the equator. Being geostationary allows an earth receiving & transmitting station to maintain bidirectional communications with satellites without the need of having to always reposition the earth based "dish" like antenna. A practical example is one's home whose television is connected to a unidirectional (receives only) dish antenna. If the satellite that the dish antenna is aimed at was not geostationary, people would lose the satellite's signal as soon as it deviated one degree from its position. In general, all data, audio & video satellites are launched into a geostationary orbit.


How many days does it tack to orbit the Earth?

The ISS orbits the Earth in about 90 minutes. Some satellites are in geostationary orbit, orbiting in exactly one day. The Moon orbits (moves around) the Earth in about 28 days!


What is isochronous satellites?

An isochronous satellite is one that orbits the earth in one day. So it orbits the earth as the same speed as the earth rotates. Most satellites that are isochronous are infact geostationary satellites as they also stay in the same position above the earth. However these satellites occupy a very specific orbit above the equator. It is possible to have isochronous satellites that aren't geostationary however getting them to remain in orbit would prove difficult.


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.


Which task would be best performed by a asatellite in GEO?

A satellite that is in GEO, or geostationary orbit, is one that is at a fixed position above the Earth. A task best performed by this type of satellite is one that involves monitoring one area continuously for changes.


What are the orbits of hydrogen?

Hydrogen only has one electron orbit, as it only has one electron.


How many moons are in our orbit?

Only one. The Moon


Explain thjat the Earth is one of several planets to orbit the sun and that the moon orbits Earth?

What exactly don't you understand? "Orbit" in this context means to move around another object, on a path that has the shape of an ellipse.


Group of planets or possibly only one planet that orbit a star is?

galaxy


What is geostationary satellite?

A satellites period, the time it takes it to go around the earth, is determined, in part, by its altitude. The further away it is then the longer it will take. You can calculate an altitude where it will take just one day to make an orbit. If this is done then though the satellite orbits the earth it appears to be stationary above one point of the earth. This orbit must be above, or very near to, the equator. For the earth this altitude is approximately 36,000 km (22,000 miles)