A geostationary satellite is an artificial satellite that orbits the Earth at the same rotational speed as the planet. It remains fixed above a particular point on the equator, making it ideal for communication, weather monitoring, and broadcasting.
Important Questions and Answers on Geostationary Satellites
Q1: What is a geostationary satellite?
A: A geostationary satellite is an Earth-orbiting satellite positioned at approximately 35,786 km (22,236 miles) above the equator. It orbits in sync with the Earth’s rotation, appearing stationary to observers on the ground.
Q2: What is the time period of a geostationary satellite?
A: The time period of a geostationary satellite is 24 hours, which matches the Earth’s rotational period.
Q3: What are the applications of geostationary satellites?
A:
Communication (TV, internet, telephony)
Weather forecasting (meteorological satellites)
GPS and navigation systems
Remote sensing and surveillance
Q4: What are the conditions for a satellite to be geostationary?
A: The satellite must:
Be at an altitude of 35,786 km above the Earth’s surface.
Orbit in the equatorial plane.
Have an orbital period of 24 hours.
Move in the same direction as Earth’s rotation (west to east).
Q5: How is a geostationary satellite different from a polar satellite?
A:
Feature
Geostationary Satellite
Polar Satellite
Orbit Type
Equatorial
Polar
Altitude
~35,786 km
500–800 km
Coverage
Fixed region
Entire Earth
Use Case
Communication, weather monitoring
Earth observation, reconnaissance
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) on Geostationary Satellites
Q1: What is the altitude of a geostationary satellite?
A) 500 km B) 2000 km C) 35,786 km D) 50,000 km
Answer: C) 35,786 km Explanation: Geostationary satellites orbit at this specific height to maintain a synchronous orbit with Earth.
Q2: A geostationary satellite orbits in which direction?
A) East to West B) West to East C) North to South D) South to North
Answer: B) West to East Explanation: It moves in the same direction as Earth’s rotation to remain fixed above one point.
Q3: How many geostationary satellites are needed for global communication coverage?
A) 1 B) 3 C) 10 D) 24
Answer: B) 3 Explanation: Three satellites, spaced 120° apart, can cover almost the entire Earth except for the polar regions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Geostationary Satellites
Q1: Can a geostationary satellite be used for GPS?
A: No, GPS satellites operate in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) at an altitude of around 20,000 km, whereas geostationary satellites are used mainly for communication and weather monitoring.
Q2: Why do geostationary satellites not cover the polar regions?
A: Since they orbit along the equator, their signals do not effectively reach the high-latitude polar regions.
Q3: How do geostationary satellites stay in orbit?
A: The balance between Earth’s gravitational pull and the centrifugal force due to the satellite’s motion keeps it in orbit.
Q4: How long do geostationary satellites last?
A: Typically, 10-15 years due to fuel limitations for station-keeping and eventual orbital decay.
Test Your Knowledge
Geostationary Satellite Quiz
Geostationary Satellite Quiz
Conclusion
Geostationary satellites play a vital role in global communication, weather forecasting, and surveillance. Their fixed position relative to Earth makes them invaluable for continuous data transmission and monitoring.
