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Glossary / Geostationary Orbit (GEO)
Orbits

Geostationary Orbit (GEO)

A circular orbit 35,786 km above the equator where a satellite matches Earth's rotation, appearing stationary from the ground.

Geostationary Orbit (GEO) is a circular equatorial orbit at an altitude of approximately 35,786 kilometers where a satellite's orbital period matches Earth's 24-hour rotation. From the ground, a GEO satellite appears to hover over a fixed point, making it ideal for communications, broadcast television, and weather monitoring. The three GEO "slots" above major landmasses are among the most commercially valuable positions in space.

Reaching GEO requires significantly more delta-v than LEO, typically involving a Geostationary Transfer Orbit as an intermediate step. The limited number of available orbital slots is coordinated by the International Telecommunication Union to prevent radio frequency interference between neighboring satellites.

Related Terms

Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO)
Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)
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