Satellites used for telecommunication relay are kept in a geostationary orbit. A satellite is said to be in such an orbit when:

1. The orbit is geosynchronous.
2. The orbit is circular.
3. The orbit lies in the plane of the earth’s equator.
4. The orbit is at an altitude of 22,236 km.

Which the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1, 2 and 3 only
2. 1, 3 and 4 only
3. 2 and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• A geosynchronous orbit is positioned 35,786 km above Earth’s surface, aligning with Earth’s rotation period (23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4.09 seconds). Satellites in this orbit remain fixed over a specific longitude, making them ideal for telecommunications and remote sensing.
• Geostationary Orbit (GEO): A geostationary orbit is a subset of GSO, characterized by a circular path above the equator, moving in sync with Earth’s rotation. This allows the satellite to appear stationary from the ground. Such satellites are widely used for communication and weather monitoring.
• Medium Earth Orbit comprises a wide range of orbits anywhere between LEO and HEO (High Earth Orbit) — between 2,000 km and 35,786 km.

Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only | Difficulty Level: Easy