geosynchronous satellite

Cultural  

1. A satellite that orbits the Earth at an altitude of about 22,000 miles. At this altitude, the satellite circles the Earth every twenty-four hours, so that it remains “stationary” over a particular spot on the surface.

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This type of satellite is very useful in communications because it can remain in continuous contact with a site on the ground.

Example Sentences

But nothing short of total geosynchronous satellite failure can provide a satisfying explanation for why more people aren’t interested in watching a LeBron-led juggernaut lay waste to the Western Conference.

From Slate • Dec. 12, 2019

A geosynchronous satellite monitored the supposed safe house.

From The New Yorker • Sep. 5, 2014

Stage 1: The science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke is often credited with inventing the idea of the geosynchronous satellite in his 1945 paper published in Wireless World magazine.

From Slate • Jan. 17, 2012

Even geosynchronous satellite communication is aimed down, parsimoniously covering only a portion of Earth’s surface.

From Scientific American • Apr. 22, 2011

They owned and operated communi- cations companies, including their own geosynchronous satellite.

From Terminal Compromise: computer terrorism: when privacy and freedom are the victims: a novel by Schwartau, Winn