In a geostationary orbit, the satellite remains directly above a specific location on Earth at all times, which is useful for communications and navigation satellites. A satellite in geostationary orbit will complete an orbit every 24 hours. What evidence from the text supports a claim that geostationary satellites must orbit at a specific height above sea level?

Question

In a geostationary orbit, the satellite remains directly above a specific location on Earth at all times, which is useful for communications and navigation satellites. A satellite in geostationary orbit will complete an orbit every 24 hours. What evidence from the text supports a claim that geostationary satellites must orbit at a specific height above sea level?

The distance between an orbiting satellite and the object it orbits is related to the satellite’s speed.

Gravity holds the satellite in orbit.

Satellites do not all orbit at the same distance from Earth.

An object in LEO must travel faster than an object in HEO.

Answer 1

The evidence from the text that supports the claim that geostationary satellites must orbit at a specific height above sea level is:

"A satellite in geostationary orbit will complete an orbit every 24 hours."

This statement implies that for a satellite to maintain a geostationary position and remain directly above a specific location on Earth, it must have an orbital period that matches the Earth's rotation period (24 hours). This requirement is directly tied to the specific height at which geostationary satellites must orbit, as the orbital altitude is calculated to ensure that the gravitational and centripetal forces balance at that specific distance, allowing for a 24-hour orbital period. Without being at this exact height, the satellite would not maintain a geostationary position relative to the Earth.