An object in a circular geosynchronous orbit in the plane of the Earth's equator would have a radius of approximately 42,164 km from the center of the Earth, approximately 35,790 km (22,240 statute miles) above mean sea level.
This can be demonstrated analytically by application of the Law of Gravity and the physics of centripetal acceleration. Drawing the free body diagram and using the analysis methods of engineering dynamics and Physics allows the determination of the distance from Earth's center of mass which will satisfy this specified operating condition.
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2 Elliptical geosynchronous orbits 3 Active geosynchronous orbits |
An ideal circular orbit that kept the satellite over a single point on the Earth's equator at all times is called a geostationary orbit.
In general, a perfect stable geostationary orbit is an ideal that can only be approximated.
In practice, several different practical methods of station keeping allow satellites to remain over a required region of the Earth's surface.
The name Clarke Belt has been given to the part of space approximately 35,790 km directly above Earth's equator where near-geostationary orbits may be achieved. Science fiction writer and scientist Arthur C. Clarke wrote about this belt in 1945, hence the name.
Clarke's and Herman Potočnik's visions of geostationary communications satellites were made a reality in 1962 with the launch of Telstar.
Elliptical orbits can be and are designed for communications satellites that keep the satellite within view of its assigned ground stations or recievers.
A satellite in an elliptical geosynchronous orbit will appear to oscillate in the sky from the viewpoint of a ground station, and satellites in highly elliptical orbits must be tracked by steerable ground stations.
Theoretically Statites can use active thrust to balance a portion of the gravity forces experienced. Thus it can be "geo synchronous" in an orbit different from the traditional definition established in the early era of initial space exploration activities.Circular geosynchronous orbits
Elliptical geosynchronous orbits
Free Body Diagram
Active geosynchronous orbits