Orbital altitudes range from 2 000 to 36 000 kilometres 1 200 to 22 400 mi above earth.
Satellite orbit height in miles.
These are most commonly at 20 200 kilometers 12 600 mi or 20 650 kilometers 12 830 mi with an orbital period of 12 hours.
As the satellite moves the earth rotates underneath it.
Iridium satellites orbit at about 780 km 480 mi.
Geosynchronous orbits geo geo satellites orbit earth at an altitude greater than 22 223 miles 36 000 kilometers and their orbital period is the same as earth s rotational period.
Geocentric orbits ranging in altitude from 2 000 km 1 240 miles to just below geosynchronous orbit at 35 786 kilometers 22 236 mi.
The semi synchronous orbit is a near circular orbit low eccentricity 26 560 kilometers from the center of the earth about 20 200 kilometers above the surface.
The semi synchronous orbit is a near circular orbit low eccentricity 26 560 kilometers from the center of the earth about 20 200 kilometers above the surface.
Included in this category are geostationary gso satellites which remain in orbit above a fixed spot on earth.
At an altitude of 124 miles 200 kilometers the required orbital velocity is a little more than 17 000 mph about 27 400 kph.
Lower orbits also aid remote sensing satellites because of the added detail that can be gained.
Medium earth orbit meo satellites are closer to earth.
Also known as an intermediate circular orbit.
The region below medium orbits is referred to as low earth orbit leo and is about 160 to 2 000 kilometres 99 to 1 243 mi above earth.
A satellite at this height takes 12 hours to complete an orbit.
As the satellite moves the earth rotates underneath it.
Remote sensing satellites can also take advantage of sun synchronous leo orbits at an altitude of about 800 km 500 mi and near polar inclination.
The nearer to earth the faster the required orbital velocity.
A satellite at this height takes 12 hours to complete an orbit.
A geosynchronous orbit is a high earth orbit that allows satellites to match earth s rotation.
Medium earth orbit meo.
Gps satellites fly in medium earth orbit meo at an altitude of approximately 20 200 km 12 550 miles.