Gjeostacionare

Gjeostacionare refers to an orbit where a satellite appears to remain in a fixed position in the sky relative to a specific point on the Earth's surface. This is achieved by the satellite orbiting the Earth at the same rate as the Earth rotates. For a geostationary orbit, the satellite must be positioned directly above the Earth's equator, at a specific altitude of approximately 35,786 kilometers (22,236 miles).

The key characteristics of a geostationary orbit are its circular path and its zero inclination relative to the Earth's equatorial plane. This means the satellite moves in the same direction as the Earth's rotation, completing one orbit in precisely 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 seconds, which is a sidereal day. The gravitational pull of the Earth at this particular altitude perfectly balances the satellite's orbital velocity, keeping it in its stationary apparent position.

Satellites in geostationary orbits are crucial for various applications, most notably telecommunications and broadcasting. Their fixed position allows for continuous coverage of a specific geographical area, eliminating the need for ground antennas to track moving satellites. Weather monitoring is another significant application, as geostationary satellites can provide constant views of weather patterns over large regions. This orbit is also used for certain types of navigation systems and scientific observation platforms.