TechnicalGEO/GSO
Geostationary Orbit
A circular orbit at approximately 35,786 km altitude where satellites appear stationary relative to Earth's surface.
Geostationary orbit (GEO or GSO) is a unique orbital regime where satellites maintain a fixed position relative to Earth, ideal for communications and weather monitoring.
Orbital Characteristics
- Altitude: ~35,786 km
- Period: 23 hours 56 minutes 4 seconds
- Inclination: 0° (equatorial)
- Eccentricity: 0 (circular)
Advantages
- Fixed ground antenna pointing
- Continuous coverage of hemisphere
- No handover between satellites
- Ideal for broadcast services
Limitations
- Limited orbital slots (separated by ~2°)
- High latency (~250ms round-trip)
- Requires more powerful satellites
- No polar coverage
Debris Mitigation GEO satellites cannot deorbit economically. Instead:
- Graveyard orbit: 300+ km above GEO
- Passivation required
- Fuel reservation for disposal
ITU Coordination GEO slots are a limited resource coordinated through ITU to prevent interference and ensure equitable access.
EU Space Act Provisions GEO operators face specific requirements for:
- End-of-life disposal
- Slot coordination
- Station-keeping capability