Geostationary Orbit

space · satellites · Earth

Same speed as Earth. A satellite in geostationary orbit travels at exactly the same speed as Earth's rotation, so it always hovers over the same spot on the equator. This is like riding a merry-go-round at just the right speed so you stay facing the same direction.

Super far up. Geostationary satellites orbit 35,786 kilometers (about 22,236 miles) above Earth's equator. That's roughly the distance across the United States, but straight up in the sky!

Perfect for broadcasting. Because these satellites never move from their spot in the sky, they're perfect for sending TV signals and weather information to the same area all day and all night. Many of the satellites that bring you weather reports and TV channels are geostationary.

Only works at the equator. Geostationary orbits can only exist above Earth's equator, where the gravitational pull and rotation work just right to keep a satellite locked in place. Satellites above other latitudes can't stay still in the sky this way.

Exact orbital period. A satellite takes exactly 24 hours to complete one orbit around Earth in this special path, matching Earth's rotation perfectly so it appears frozen in the sky.