A prominent politician recently proposed, as part of our SDI, to place a defensive satellite in geosynchronous orbit directly above Washington, D.C.

What if anything is wrong with his suggestion?

(In reply to re: a small theory by ThoughtProvoker)

Loki's pretty much correct, AND the orbit is quite possible.  Geosynchronous and geostationary are definitely NOT words that should be used synonymously.  Geostationary means that the satellite stays above the same spot on the earth at all times.  A geostationary satellite MUST be over a point on the equator at all times.  A geosynch satellite is a satellite that completes an orbit in the same amount of time as the earth.  A geosynch satellite does not need to remain above a point on the equator all the time but must cross the equator every twelve hours.  As was said, you get an oscillating "orbit".  There's no special energy requirements for a geosynch orbit and there are plenty of satellites in geosynch orbits right now.

The solution posted to the problem is incorrect.  A satellite can be placed in a geosynch orbit above Washington DC if you take the word "place" to mean the action of placing, not the place where the satellite stays or however else it can be taken...  If the rocket is above Washington DC when the satellite is released into a geosynch orbit, then yes, you can place a satellite in a geosynch orbit above Washington DC.

Posted by Eric on 2004-08-02 19:36:41