Direct TV : How Direct TV Works : Geo-synchronous Satellites

Geo-synchronous Satellites

All the satellites used are in geo-synchronous orbit. This means that they stay in the same place in the sky relative to the position of the earth.

They do this by orbiting at 22,000 miles or 35,700 km above the planet and travelling at a speed of 7,000 mph or 11,000 kph.

Satellites remain in orbit by falling to earth, but because they are travelling so fast, the normal curvature of the earth drops away at the same rate that they fall. The satellites take 24 hours to complete 1 revolution, just like the earth does.

Geo-synchronous Satellites - Related Topics

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