GEOSTATIONARY
SATELLITE
BY-
PALLAVI KAUSHIK
SATELLITE
A satellite can refer to a natural or
artificial object that orbits a larger object
in space:
• Natural satellite: A natural object, such
as the moon, that orbits a planet.
• Artificial satellite: A man-made object,
such as a spacecraft, that orbits a
celestial body.
Satellites have many uses, including:
Communication: Satellites can relay
communication.
Weather forecasting: Satellites can help
forecast the weather.
Navigation: Satellites can help with
navigation, such as GPS.
Broadcasting: Satellites can be used for
broadcasting.
Scientific research: Satellites can be used
for scientific research.
Earth observation: Satellites can gather
information about the Earth, such as for
mapping, reconnaissance, and monitoring
the ocean, forests, and weather.
The first artificial satellite to orbit the
Earth was Sputnik 1, launched by the
Soviet Union in 1957.
NATURAL AND ARTIFICAL SATELLITE
GEOSTATIONARY SATELLITE
A geostationary satellite is a satellite that orbits the Earth at an altitude of 22,300 miles (35,800
kilometers) above the equator. It moves in the same direction as the Earth's rotation, which makes it
appear stationary from the ground. Some of the uses of geostationary satellites include:
➢ Communication
Geostationary satellites can relay radio signals from the Earth's surface to users on the ground.
➢ Weather
Geostationary satellites can take pictures of the Earth at the same location every 30 minutes. This allows
them to record the same image at brief intervals, which is useful for weather conditions.
➢ Remote sensing
Geostationary satellites can record the same image at brief intervals because they always view the Earth
from the same perspective.
Geostationary satellites are also known as geosynchronous orbit (GEO) satellites.
FEATURES OF
GEOSTATIONARY SATELLITES
➢ Altitude of Geostationary Satellite from
earths surface is approx. 36000 kms.
➢ In order to perfectly match Earth's
rotation, the speed of GEO satellites
should be about 3 km per second at an
altitude of 35,786 km.
➢ The angular velocity of a geostationary
satellite is approximately 0.26 radians
per hour, or 15 degrees per hour.
➢ Time Period for one Revolution is same
as Earth that is 24 hours.
How does GEOSTATIONARY SATELLITE work?
A geostationary satellite maintains its position in space relative to
the Earth's rotation using thrusters and reaction wheels. These
tools let the satellite make small adjustments to its position as
needed to keep its orbit at the same speed as the Earth's rotation
and remain in the same position above the Earth's equator.
A satellite can achieve a 24-hour orbit only at the 22,300-mile
altitude. This orbit keeps the geostationary satellite fixed -- or
stationary -- over one longitude at the equator. It appears fixed in
the sky to ground observers.
Before a satellite can be launched into a geostationary orbit, it's
first launched into a transfer orbit. An orbit is the curved path
that an object in space must take around another object, such as
the Earth, because of the gravitational force of the other object.
A transfer orbit is an elliptical orbit that enables a satellite to
move to its final high-altitude orbit by using relatively little
energy from built-in motors. Transfer orbits are used so that the
satellite's launch vehicle doesn't need to go all the way to the its
final altitude.
WHY GEOSTATIONARY
SATELLITE IS PLACED ONLY
AT AN ALTITUDE OF 36000
KMS?
A geostationary satellite is placed at a
height of 36,000 km above the Earth's
surface so that it can orbit the Earth once
every 24 hours, matching the Earth's
rotational period. This means that the
satellite appears to remain in the same
position in the sky, relative to the Earth.
Satellites in lower orbits move faster and
complete their orbits around the Earth
more quickly. To orbit the Earth once a day,
a geostationary satellite must be placed at a
high enough altitude to travel slowly
enough.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE SATELLITE
IS DIRECTLY LAUNCHED INTO ITS
FINAL ORBIT WITHOUT SENDING IT
IN TRANSFER ORBIT?
If a satellite is launched directly into its final orbit
without using a transfer orbit, it may not be able to stay
in orbit:
•Speed- Speed of a satellite is launched too fast, it may
move forward so quickly that gravity can't keep it in
orbit.
•Inclination-The orbital inclination of a satellite is the
angle between the orbit plane and the Earth's equator. To
get into a geostationary orbit, the inclination must be
reduced to zero.
•Eccentricity-The eccentricity of a satellite's orbit must
also be reduced to zero to get into a geostationary orbit.
A transfer orbit is used to move a satellite from one orbit
to another. For example, a geostationary transfer orbit
(GTO) is a highly elliptical orbit that moves a satellite to a
geostationary altitude.
ADVANTAGES OF GEOSTATIONARY SATELLITES
01 02 03
A single satellite in the MINIMAL INTERFERENCE - LONG LIFE - Geostationary
geostationary orbit can cover The use of highly directional satellite systems have long life
distances as large as whole antennas minimizes spans compared with other
oceans or continents, about interference from surface- types of orbital structures.
one-third of the earth, based sources and other They remain operational up
meaning that three satellites satellites. to 15 years before needing to
in a system can cover the be replaced, whereas other
whole earth(except the polar orbiting equipment lasts five
regions) years or less
DISADVATAGES OF GEOSTATIONARY SATELLITES
01 02 03
Limited numbers. The orbital Difficult to repair or High cost. Geostationary
zone for geostationary satellites replace. Because satellites are more expensive to
in the plane of the equator is a geosynchronous orbits are so launch into orbit than other
narrow ring. As a result, only a far from Earth, the satellites can satellites because their high
limited number of satellites can be difficult to repair or replace altitudes require more fuel and
be maintained in these orbits and can require specialized energy during takeoff. The
without the risk of conflicts or equipment. distance can also make them
collisions. more expensive to maintain
over their life span.
THANK YOU!
