TERMIUM Plus®

The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.

SYNCHRONOUS ORBIT [1 record]

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Alphabetical list of terms

Record 1 2003-01-22

English

Subject field(s)
  • Launching and Space Maneuvering
DEF

A circular orbit around the Earth's equator, at a distance of 6.6 Earth radii.

OBS

At this distance the orbital period is 24 hours, keeping the satellite "anchored" above the same spot on Earth. This feature makes the synchronous orbit useful for communication satellites: a satellite transmitting TV programs to the US, for instance, will always be in touch with the US if "anchored" above it, and receiving antennas on the ground only need to point to one fixed spot in the sky.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Lancement et manœuvres dans l'espace
CONT

La nature d'une orbite synchrone de 35 900 km d'altitude impose une vitesse orbitale égale à la vitesse de rotation de la Terre. Ainsi, un vaisseau placé sur une telle orbite reste apparemment fixe dans l'espace au-dessus d'un point de la Terre.

Spanish

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TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
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