A geosynchronous Earth satellite is one that has an orbital period equal to the rotational period of the Earth. Such orbits are useful for communication and weather observation because the satellite remains above the same point on Earth, provided it orbits in the equatorial plane in the same direction as Earth’s rotation. Calculate (a) the radius of such an orbit and (b) the altitude of the satellite above the surface of the Earth. Note that the rotational period of the Earth is
23 h 56 m 4 s, or 23.93 hours, not 24 hours!