Do Satellites all rotate the same way around the earth?

Question

Just wondering if all the satellites that are rotating around the earth go in the same direction or can they go different directions?

Answer 1

Most Satellites travel in different directions across the sky. Geo-synchronous orbit satellites travel in the same direction. (Satellites that are always over-head)

Answer 2

All satellites do not go the same way.

Most communications satellites are geo-synchronous. That means they appear to hover above a fixed point on the equator because they are orbiting at hte ame speed that the Earth rotates. These are all at about 22,000 miles above the Earth.

Other satellites, like spy satellites can have various orbits. They can fire rockets and change if they want.

The space shuttle and International Space Station orbit at an altitude that causes them to go around the Earth every 90 minutes or so. That's a lot different than that DirecTV satellite that never appears to move...

Answer 3

It seems to me that they travel with the rotation of the earth so they seem like they aren't moving at all. This is why the dish is set up and doesn't have to move when you are set up for satellite tv.

Answer 4

No. Satellites can go in almost any direction. Equatorial, polar, and inclined orbits going in either direction.

Answer 5

No. There are geo-stationary, equatorial orbits and polar orbits.

Answer 6

Oh no - some have polar orbits, some are geosynchronous.

Answer 7

They can go whichever direction we want them to go.

Answer 8

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