I have some questions that i don't know the answer to and i want someone to please answer them for me.
Question 1: what is a geostationary orbit, polar orbit, and low earth and what are they used for and what do they do?
2007-12-06 07:33:55 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
A geostationary orbit is one where the satellite takes exactly 24 hours to go around the Earth. If the satellite is over the equator, then it will stay over the same point of Earth's surface (because it too is going around in 24 hours).
A polar orbit is one that passes over the Earth's poles. Often used for communication satellites and spy. it is the only orbit that allows a satellite to pass over ALL the points of Earth's surface.
A low Earth orbit is as the name indicates. It is not very high. Because there may still be the occasional air molecule at that level, low Earth orbits do decay with time. However, it is still in space, in free fall, etc. and it is the cheapest orbit to achieve.
2007-12-06 08:42:11 · answer #1 · answered by Moee Babee =) 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A geostationary orbit is one where the satellite takes exactly 24 hours to go around the Earth. If the satellite is over the equator, then it will stay over the same point of Earth's surface (because it too is going around in 24 hours).
A polar orbit is one that passes over the Earth's poles. Often used for communication satellites and spy. it is the only orbit that allows a satellite to pass over ALL the points of Earth's surface.
A low Earth orbit is as the name indicates. It is not very high. Because there may still be the occasional air molecule at that level, low Earth orbits do decay with time. However, it is still in space, in free fall, etc. and it is the cheapest orbit to achieve.
2007-12-06 15:42:29 · answer #2 · answered by Raymond 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Geostationary Orbit is an orbit in which the object orbiting Earth has it's orbital speed equals to Earth's rotation speed, so to an observer on Earth looks like it is stationary. It is generally used for satallites that can due to it's stationary position be always pointing to an antenna for example.
A Polar Orbit is an orbit in which the object orbiting Earth passes above or near both poles perpendicular to the Equador.
It's often used for spying satallites and mapping.
2007-12-06 15:49:41 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋