Canon

Geosynchronous orbit: Difference between revisions

From Halopedia, the Halo wiki

m (clean-up)
m (Text replacement - "\|(right|thumb)(\|[^\]\n]+)?\|(right|thumb)" to "|thumb$2")
 
(27 intermediate revisions by 19 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Image:Geosynchronous1.GIF|thumb|right|A diagram of a Geosynchronous orbit]]
{{Status|Canon}}
{{references}}
{{Wikipedia}}
[[File:Geosynchronous1.GIF|thumb|A diagram of a geosynchronous orbit]]
A '''geosynchronous orbit''' is an orbit around a planet with an orbital period matching the planet's sidereal rotation period. The term geosynchronous can be used to describe any orbital pattern with a period equal to that of its orbiting body, and in the same direction as the parent's rotation, but is specifically used for orbits with no inclination and a semimajor axis of equal length to the minor axis (i.e. circular). Satellites in geosynchronous orbits appear to maintain their longitude, while their latitude oscillates in a 24-hour period. The geosynchronous orbit over the equator is called the '''geostationary orbit'''. Satellites in the geostationary orbit appear stationary relative to the planet's surface.


A satellite or spacecraft in an orbit above the equator, revolving at a rate of speed synchronous with that of the earth's rotation so that it always stays above the same place above the earth's surface.
==Uses==
[[Orbital defense platform]]s in particular make use of geosynchronous orbits to protect the planet they orbit from attack.<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[The Armory]]''</ref> The terminus stations of [[space elevator]]s are also anchored to a geosynchronous, near-geostationary orbit.<ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/theuniverse/locations/gallery/space-tether/e9b2f438-9b5b-477e-8e52-d4e6801e9d5b '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Space Tether'']</ref>


Some spacecraft and [[Orbital Defence Platform]]s use this orbit to maximise their coverage of broadcasts or to protect a certain area of a planet. For example, [[Cairo Station]] had a geosynchronous orbit over North Africa.
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}
 
[[Category:Astronomy]]

Latest revision as of 11:47, April 12, 2023

Help.png
This article does not have enough inline citations and/or does not adhere to the proper citation format. You can help Halopedia by adding citations.
Wikipedia.png
There is more information available on this subject at Geosynchronous orbit on the English Wikipedia.
A diagram of a geosynchronous orbit

A geosynchronous orbit is an orbit around a planet with an orbital period matching the planet's sidereal rotation period. The term geosynchronous can be used to describe any orbital pattern with a period equal to that of its orbiting body, and in the same direction as the parent's rotation, but is specifically used for orbits with no inclination and a semimajor axis of equal length to the minor axis (i.e. circular). Satellites in geosynchronous orbits appear to maintain their longitude, while their latitude oscillates in a 24-hour period. The geosynchronous orbit over the equator is called the geostationary orbit. Satellites in the geostationary orbit appear stationary relative to the planet's surface.

Uses[edit]

Orbital defense platforms in particular make use of geosynchronous orbits to protect the planet they orbit from attack.[1] The terminus stations of space elevators are also anchored to a geosynchronous, near-geostationary orbit.[2]

Sources[edit]