perplexus.info :: Science : Geosynchronous Orbit

Geosynchronous Orbit (Posted on 2004-06-05)

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?

Submitted by SilverKnight

Rating: 2.6000 (5 votes)

Solution: (Hide)

Geosynchronous orbits are always over the equator.
For a satellite to be over a point not on the equator, it must "oscillate" to both sides of the equator, over time.
Interestingly, you can have a satellite spend more time over the northern or southern hemisphere by placing it in an elliptical orbit.

Comments: ( You must be logged in to post comments.)

Subject	Author	Date
Puzzle Solution	K Sengupta	2022-09-04 22:42:54
Agree with orbit defintions but...	Kenny M	2006-02-04 13:15:02
?!!!	Vee-Liem Veefessional	2004-08-14 22:57:26
re(2): a small theory	Eric	2004-08-02 19:36:41
solution	matt	2004-08-02 13:39:54
click here for answer	031088	2004-07-09 11:06:48
re: a small theory	ThoughtProvoker	2004-06-11 11:34:11
a small theory	loki	2004-06-11 10:32:40
re: I learnt the answer when I was 10...	Brian Wainscott	2004-06-08 20:09:05
I learnt the answer when I was 10...	sassy	2004-06-06 06:11:12
re: Impossible Orbit--to be more exact	Charlie	2004-06-05 15:16:10
Impossible Orbit	Larry	2004-06-05 14:35:28
orbit	rixar	2004-06-05 14:18:29
Impossibility	Federico Kereki	2004-06-05 11:40:07

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