geostationary
Stays above one spot
Geostationary describes a satellite orbit where the satellite remains fixed above the same point on Earth's surface.
This requires orbiting at exactly the right altitude and speed to match Earth's rotation—about 22,236 miles up.
Communications and weather satellites often use geostationary orbits: The dish antenna points at a geostationary satellite over the Atlantic.
Of Earth's central line
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
- spacecraftVehicle for outer space
- satelliteOrbiting celestial body
- stationkeepingMaintaining a fixed location
longitude · inclination · apogee · perigee · decay · insertion · perturbation · ephemeris
Transmitted media signal
- transponderSignal-activated transmitter
- uplinkTransmission to spacecraft
- downlinkSpacecraft-to-Earth transmission
- footprintMark from stepping
coverage · bandwidth · relay · television · SES · antenna · dish · reception
Mutual mass attraction
- centripetalMoving toward center
- inertiaResistance to altered motion
- synchronousOccurring at same moment
- hoverRemain suspended midair
equilibrium · Kepler · Newton · mass · force · acceleration
Carried freight or charge
- thrustersPropulsion devices for steering
- propellantSubstance creating thrust
- gyroscopeSpinning disc measuring orientation
- stabilizationProcess of becoming steady
telemetry · command · tracking · deployment · lifespan · decommissioning
equatorial
Of Earth's central line
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
- spacecraftVehicle for outer space
- satelliteOrbiting celestial body
stationkeeping · longitude · inclination · apogee · perigee · decay · insertion · perturbation · ephemeris
broadcast
Transmitted media signal
- transponderSignal-activated transmitter
- uplinkTransmission to spacecraft
- downlinkSpacecraft-to-Earth transmission
footprint · coverage · bandwidth · relay · television · SES · antenna · dish · reception · transmission
gravity
Mutual mass attraction
- centripetalMoving toward center
- inertiaResistance to altered motion
- synchronousOccurring at same moment
hover · equilibrium · Kepler · Newton · mass · force · acceleration
payload
Carried freight or charge
- thrustersPropulsion devices for steering
- propellantSubstance creating thrust
- gyroscopeSpinning disc measuring orientation
stabilization · telemetry · command · tracking · deployment · lifespan · decommissioning
- GPSsatellite, GPS navigation, GPS tracking, latitude, GPS receivers
- orbit termsellipse, trajectory, satellite, revolution, rotation
- orbital mechanicsorbital mechanics, eccentricity, inclination, apogee, perigee
- satellite termssatellite TV, satellite radio, satellite internet, satellite dish, uplink
- satellitessatellites, satellite, weather satellite, communications satellite, GPS satellite
- internet servicebroadband, modem, router, download, upload
- geostationary orbitRotation-synchronized satellite trajectory
geography, geometry, stationary, geology, geographical, geologic, geothermal, geopolitical, geophysics