geostationary

Also ge·o·syn·chro·nous

[jee-oh-stey-shuh-ner-ee]

adjective

1. of or relating to a satellite traveling in an orbit 22,300 miles (35,900 km) above the earth's equator: at this altitude, the satellite's period of rotation, 24 hours, matches the earth's and the satellite always remains in the same spot over the earth.

   geostationary orbit.

geostationary

/ ˌdʒiːəʊˈsteɪʃənərɪ /

adjective

1. Also: geosynchronous. (of a satellite) in a circular equatorial orbit in which it circles the earth once per sidereal day so that it appears stationary in relation to the earth's surface

Word History and Origins

Origin of geostationary¹

First recorded in 1960–65; geo- + stationary

Example Sentences

Like the Soviet-designed Proton it’s set to replace, the new rocket is intended to launch intelligence and communication satellites to geostationary orbits.

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In geostationary orbit, arrays of solar panels can track the Sun and gather energy 24/7, sending it to Earth in microwave beams gentle enough to avoid frying birds and airplanes.

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Most communications satellites at the time rested in a geostationary orbit, which matched the Earth’s rotation, fixing each craft in place from the perspective of someone on the ground.

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The space agency says the module remains at a height of more than 115,000km - way above the 36,000km orbit where geostationary satellites are located - to avoid any threats of collision.

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As opposed to low-Earth orbit, which hosts things like the International Space Station, the EchoStar-7 was in the higher geostationary orbit, following the line of Earth’s Equator in a circle.

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