1 / 8What are Geostationary satellites?
To a layman, a satellite is a complicated machine equipped with solar panel wings. But, in space, these 'eyes in the sky' behave quite differently depending on their orbit.
2 / 8Why do satellites have different orbits?
Different orbits give satellites different vantage points for viewing. Selection of a satellite's orbit depends on what they are designed to operate.
3 / 8Geosynchronous vs Geostationary orbit
Satellites in a geostationary orbit circle Earth above the equator and travel as the same rate as Earth. This makes them appear to be 'stationary' over a fixed position.
All geostationary satellites are geosynchronous but not vice versa.[
4 / 8Low Earth Orbit
A low Earth orbit (LEO) is relatively close to Earth's surface. It could be as low as 160 km above Earth.
5 / 8Medium Earth Orbit
Medium Earth orbit comprises a wide range of orbits anywhere between LEO and GEO. It is similar to LEO in that it also does not need to take specific paths around Earth.
6 / 8Polar orbits
Satellites in polar orbits travel from north to south, rather than from east to west, passing over earth's poles.
7 / 8Earth satellite orbits
(Altitude in kms)
Geo satellites: 35.786
Low Earth Orbit: Less than 1000
Medium Earth Orbit: Anywhere between LEO and GEO
Polar orbit: 600-800
8 / 8How a geostationary satellite gets to its orbit?
When satellites are launched from Earth and carried to space with launch vehicles often they are placed on a transfer orbit: a special kind of orbit used to get from one orbit to another
