Question

Meaning of geosynchronous satellite

Answer 1

Meaning of geosynchronous satellite:

A satellite above Earth placed in a geosynchronous circular orbit, inclined at an angle with the equatorial plane of Earth and orbiting at an orbital period equal to that of earth’s rotational period is termed as a geosynchronous satellite. Geosynchronous orbit is a High Earth orbit at a distance of 42,164 kilometres from the centre of earth such that the gravitational pull from earth is fair enough for the object in orbital motion to match with the speed of earth’s rotational period (24 hrs)

As an observer from ground, a geosynchronous satellite appears to be at a stationary point, at any part of the day; since it's velocity synchronizes with the angular velocity that of earth. A geosynchronous satellite orbiting in an equatorial plane without any inclinations is termed as a geostationary satellite.