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Question
What is the minimum distance between two geostationary satellites?
What is the minimum distance between two geostationary satellites?
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Solution
Minimum distance between two geostationary satellites:
- A geostationary orbit is only possible at an altitude close to 35,786 kilometers (22,236 miles) above the equator.
- One-tenth of a degree of longitude separates satellites.
- While this may appear to be a small separation, at a geosynchronous altitude of nearly 36,000 km, it corresponds to an inter-satellite spacing of about 73 km.
- A geosynchronous orbit enables satellites to sync in with the rotation of the planet. This position, which is 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometers) above Earth's equator, is a useful place to keep a track of the weather, communications, and surveillance.
- A satellite in geosynchronous orbit can always observe the same region of the Earth. This enables the satellite to observe how much a region changes over the course of months or years. Thus, the requirement of the spacing between geostationary satellites is must.
Minimum distance between two geostationary satellites:
- A geostationary orbit is only possible at an altitude close to 35,786 kilometers (22,236 miles) above the equator.
- One-tenth of a degree of longitude separates satellites.
- While this may appear to be a small separation, at a geosynchronous altitude of nearly 36,000 km, it corresponds to an inter-satellite spacing of about 73 km.
- A geosynchronous orbit enables satellites to sync in with the rotation of the planet. This position, which is 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometers) above Earth's equator, is a useful place to keep a track of the weather, communications, and surveillance.
- A satellite in geosynchronous orbit can always observe the same region of the Earth. This enables the satellite to observe how much a region changes over the course of months or years. Thus, the requirement of the spacing between geostationary satellites is must.
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