What is the speed of a geostationary satellite?

College Physics
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Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
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Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
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**What is the speed of a geostationary satellite?**

A geostationary satellite orbits the Earth at a speed that allows it to remain in a fixed position relative to the surface. This speed is approximately 3.07 kilometers per second (about 11,070 kilometers per hour or 6,878 miles per hour). These satellites orbit at an altitude of approximately 35,786 kilometers (22,236 miles) above the equator. By maintaining both this altitude and speed, the satellite’s orbital period matches the Earth's rotation, enabling it to stay over the same geographic location.
Transcribed Image Text:**What is the speed of a geostationary satellite?** A geostationary satellite orbits the Earth at a speed that allows it to remain in a fixed position relative to the surface. This speed is approximately 3.07 kilometers per second (about 11,070 kilometers per hour or 6,878 miles per hour). These satellites orbit at an altitude of approximately 35,786 kilometers (22,236 miles) above the equator. By maintaining both this altitude and speed, the satellite’s orbital period matches the Earth's rotation, enabling it to stay over the same geographic location.
If a satellite is placed in **geostationary orbit**, then it has an orbital period \( T \) that is equal to exactly one day. This is useful for communications satellites and weather satellites, since these satellites will appear to occupy a fixed point in the sky (as viewed from Earth's surface).
Transcribed Image Text:If a satellite is placed in **geostationary orbit**, then it has an orbital period \( T \) that is equal to exactly one day. This is useful for communications satellites and weather satellites, since these satellites will appear to occupy a fixed point in the sky (as viewed from Earth's surface).
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