What is the difference between a geostationary orbit and a polar/low earth orbit?
A satellite in a geostationary orbit is at an altitude of 22,300 miles (35,890 kilometers). The satellite moves in a circular orbit in the equatorial plane around the Earth at the same speed that the Earth rotates. Because of this, it appears to remain suspended all the time over a fixed point on the Earth’s surface. This orbit is perfect for communications satellites because they are always in view of the ground station providing continuous TV and telecommunications services to customers. This position is also ideal for making uninterrupted observations of the weather or environmental conditions in a given area. This same principle allows it to monitor for 406 MHz distress beacons. However, satellites in geostationary orbit cannot see the polar regions of the world. A polar or low earth orbit allows the satellite to observe the entire Earth’s surface as it rotates beneath it. Most of these orbits are at an altitude of 500 miles (800 km) and take about 100 minutes to revolve around the
