Satellite motion

Satellite motion is not confined to artificial satellites orbiting the earth. Any small mass which orbits a larger mass is a satellite. The moon is the earth's only natural satellite.

Going back to my blog...

In this blog I want to talk about geostationary satellites.

Geostationary satellites

Geostationary satellites are in orbit above the equator. The height of their orbit, 36,000 km, is just the right distance so that it takes them 24 hours to make each orbit. This means that they stay in a fixed position over the Earth’s surface. 

The radius of orbit of a geostationary satellite can be calculated as follows using the equation:

r³/T² = GM/4π²

Uses of geostationary satellites:

• Communications - including satellite TV
• Global positioning or GPS - which is used for sat navs (satellite navigation systems