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A geosynchronous orbit is an orbit that has the same rotational period and direction as the rotation of the Earth.

This can be demonstrated analytically by application of the Law of Gravity and the physics of centripetal acceleration. Drawing the free body diagram and using the analysis methods of engineering dynamics and Physics allows the determination of the distance from Earth's center of mass which will satisfy this specified operating condition.

A circular geosynchronous orbit around the Earth has a radius of approximately 42,200 km about the Earth's centre, approximately 35,700 km above the Earth's surface.

An ideal circular orbit that kept the satellite over a single point on the Earth at all times is called a geostationary orbit.

In general, a perfect stable geostationary orbit is an ideal that can only be approximated. In practice, several different practical methods of station keeping allow satellites to remain over a required region of the Earth's surface.

Elliptical orbits can and are designed for communications satellites that keep the satellite within view of its assigned ground stations or recievers.

A satellite in an elliptical geosynchronous orbit will appear to oscillate in the sky from the viewpoint of a ground station, and satellites in highly elliptical orbits must be tracked by steerable ground stations.

Free Body Diagram

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Examples

Theoretically Statites can use active thrust to balance a portion of the gravity forces experienced. Thus it can be "geo synchronous" in an orbit different from the traditional definition established in the early era of initial space exploration activities.

See also:

• Geostationary orbit
• Clarke Belt