3 Types of Satellite Orbits and uses.

[SENTHIL KUMAR]

3 Types of Satellite Orbits
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There are many different orbits that can be used for satellites.
The orbit that is chosen for a satellite depends upon its application.

LOW EARTH ORBIT (LEO)

Typical Uses: Satellite phone, Military Satellites, Observation Satellites.
Distance from earth: 100-500 Miles (160 - 1,400 Kilometers)
Low earth orbit (LEO) satellites complete one orbit roughly every 90 minutes. Satellites in this orbital range also have a very small 'footprint'.


MEDIUM EARTH ORBIT (MEO)

Typical Uses: Weather Satellites, Research satellites, Spy satellites.
Distance from earth: 6,000 - 12,000 Miles (10,000 -15,000 Kilometers )
This orbit that circles around the poles is referred to as a 'polar orbit'. Polar orbits have the advantage of covering a different section of the earth's surface as they circle the earth. These satellites are higher and have a larger footprint. Spy satellites typically use medium earth, polar orbits to cover as much of the earth's surface as possible from one satellite.


GEOSTATIONARY EARTH ORBIT (GEO)

Typical Uses : Television satellites, Communications satellites, Internet, Global Positioning Systems (GPS).
Distance from earth: 22,300 Miles ( 36,000 Kilometers)
The satellite stays above the same spot on earth's surface, geostationary orbits are also called geosynchronous. The broadest footprint covers the most earth surface. The geostationary orbit is widely used for many satellite applications. However, a single geostationary satellite can cover approximately 42% of the Earth's surface. So 3 satellites is enough to cover and transmission to the entire world.