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Geostationary satellites appear fixed above one spot on Earth

Geostationary satellites appear fixed above one spot on Earth

Geostationary satellites appear fixed above one spot on Earth

A satellite in geostationary orbit matches Earth’s 24-hour spin from about 36,000 km above the equator, so from the ground it seems to hang motionless in one patch of sky.

TV dishes and weather eyes use that trick: aim once, stay locked. The orbit is crowded with craft sharing that special altitude and speed.

Matching the planet’s turn turns motion into stillness. High above, “fixed” is just carefully timed falling around Earth.

Shahzad Mahota Shahzad Mahota @shahzad-mahota

Geostationary satellites appear fixed above one spot on Earth