Why must a geostationary satellite be located in the equatorial plane?

Answer 1

Only a circular, equatorial, 24 hour orbit is geostationary.

If a satellite is in a 24 hour circular orbit but at an inclined plane, it will traverse north and south of the equator in a line. If the 24 hour orbit is equatorial but eliptical, the position will move east and west on the equator relative to a stationary point on the Earth. If it is eliptical and inclined, the nadir will trace a figure 8 on the ground with the intersection of the 8 being a point on the equator.

Such orbits are geosynchronous but not geostationary. Directional antennae focused on the vehicle will have to track to communicate with it, which adds to the complexity of the receiving equipment. In the case of television receivers, you would not want to download satellite ephemerides and install tracking gear on every home satellite receiver.

Answer 2

A geostationary orbit is a circular-geosynchronous orbit about the equatorial plane. A geosynch orbit is merely one with the same period as the earth's rotation. A geosynch orbit can be tilted (inclined) but a geostationary cannot. If you have an orbit that is inclined to the equatorial plane by even 1 degree, it will appear to follow the general motion of the earth, however will move N to S by a small amount over the period of its orbit. The larger this inclination, the more noticeable its apparent motion will be. So if the inclination is 0, then it will not move N to S, and since its orbital period equals the earth's rotation, it will not appear to move, i.e. it is in a geostationary orbit.

Answer 3

It is simple physics. If an object is in orbit, but not in that plane, then it would revolve about the Earth in an orbit that would appear to move up and down.

There are two requirements for a geo-stationary satellite - first, it must be located in an orbit where it will revolve about the Earth if a "day", which means it will be revolving about the Earth in the same time it takes the Earth to rotate about its axis. Second, it must be in the equatorial plane,

A satellite rotates about the planet's center of gravity in an orbit that is a plane through the center of the planet. If the plane of that orbit is not co-incident with the equatorial plane, it will be seen to rise up and down from an observer on the Earth.

Others sources you might consult, if that is not clear, is why tracking telescopes have "equatorial mounts". Once you put your scope within the equatorial plane, then left and right are the only directions you need to worry about (relative to the equatorial plane).

Here's another example - say a satellite is in a polar orbit. Then to anyone on Earth, when they see it, it will appear to be moving north to South, or south to north, depending on when you see it.

The Earth spins! The only way to counteract that spin is to orient things within the equatorial plane...

Ron.

Answer 4

For a satellite to be geostationary, it must stay above the same point on Earth all the time. Any satellite not on the equatorial plane must spend equal time above and below the equatorial plane. If the stationary point is not on the equator, the satellite cannot spend equal time above and below the equatorial plane. Therefore the only possible stationary points lie on the equator.

Answer 5

Ok, for a satellite to seem stationary, it's orbital period must match the rotational speed of the earth. Also, the key here the orbit direction must match the direction of earths rotation. If the orbit is outside the equatorial plane the satellite won't be going the same "direction" as the earth, and will seem to move around in the sky.

Answer 6

The remark Alex made approximately satellites floating away into area is erroneous. the region of a satellite tv for pc relative to the floor of the Earth has no longer something to do with how probable it particularly is to stay in Earth gravitational field. The moon would not take a seat in a geostationary orbit, and it would not glide away in to area. the standards mandatory for a geostationary orbit are purely that A) It continues to be above the equator so as that it is orbital speed precisely suits that of the Earth's rotational speed, and B) (that's had to fulfill A) It needs to be placed at very almost 22,250miles above the floor (or approximately 26,2 hundred miles from the centre of the Earth (see Newtons regulations of gravity). Any decrease and it is will pass to rapid around the floor, and any greater, it is going to pass to slowly around the floor.

Answer 7

Usually 3 satellites are sent at 120 degrees apart at an elevation of 36,000 kilometers, where neutral gravity zone (earth & moon gravities are canceled). For telecommunications, the 3 satellites shall remain at the same spot on the earth.

This is possible only if we place them above equatorial plane (0 degree lattitude). The reason is that earth north-south geographical axis is 23.5 degree from its verticle plane & placing satellites at place other than equator will result in shifting spot below on the earth, which will not entirely cover the earth by satellites for telecommunication. Hence they are placed on equatorial plane.

Answer 8

The equatorial plane can be viewed from both the north and. southern hemispere. So the bird can be located mole easely that way.

Answer 9

The only way to get a satellite in a stationary orbit is to get it to rotate around the earth. It MUST rotate 360 degress all the way around. You cannot get a rotation such as a halo above the earth, or say rotating directly above london, passing france asia, and then washington state and boston. Gravity will pull it down such that it crosses the globe diagnally (longdon to italy to india to australia kind of direction)