Astronomy/satellite orbit

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Expert: Jayendra Upadhye - 4/13/2009


Question
Is it right to say that a geostationary satellite is travelling with the same speed as that of the Earth? The satellite has a longer distance to travel when compared to the Earth's circumference and so I think that the satellite must have a larger speed.

Answer
Hi Anita,
There are always two speeds!
You are referring to the linear one (tangential velocity amplitude given by V = r times angular velocity).
People refer to the angular velocity in radians / sec.
In case of the geostationary satellite, it is this velocity that matches that of earth, making the satellite appear to be stationary above a particular point above the earth.

regards
Jayen

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Jayendra Upadhye

Expertise

1 - General questions on most astronomy topics such as:- Solar system, Cosmology, Black holes, Quasars, Dark matter etc. 2 - General questions about the geologies of planets. 3 - General questions about Orbits and laws governing them. 4 - General questions about rockets / spaceships 5 - General questions about stellar interiors and supernovas.

Experience

I was an askme.com expert rated no#1 for quite some time - and was top ten there by the time it closed - in Astronomy and general science categories.

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Engg. (Electrical engg), Maharaja Sayajirao university of Baroda, Gujarat, India.

Awards and Honors
None to write about except the askme rating if it is any worth!

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