Satellite orbits

Satellite orbits

Satellite orbits Satellites can be placed in several different types of orbit around earth depending on their job. The two most common are: An orbit is a regular, repeating path that one object in space takes around another one. Geostationary In this orbit, the satellite moves in the same direction and at the same rate Earth is spinning, so the satellite remains above the same point on the Earth's surface. ~36,000 km above earth Used for weather observations, communications, and navigation satellites Image from the Meteosat Second Generation Geostationary satellite over 0º N 0º E. Credit: NEODAAS An animation showing a spacecraft in geostationary orbit. Credit: NASA