Geostationary Satellites

Some of our satellites seem to just hang nearly motionless over one spot on the earth. These satellites are called geostationary.

#1 What would be a reason/use for such a satellite?

#2 What would be the period of such a geostationary satellite?

#3 In the space below, record your values for r and h for a geostationary satellite.

When you are ready, use your answer in the orbit simulation and see if your geostationary satellite period comes out correctly.

#4 How many earth radii from the center of the Earth is a geostationary satellite?