Astronomy:Semi-synchronous orbit
From HandWiki
A semi-synchronous orbit is an orbit with a period equal to half the average rotational period of the body being orbited, and in the same direction as that body's rotation. For Earth, a semi-synchronous orbit is considered a medium Earth orbit, with a period of just under 12 hours. For circular Earth orbits, the altitude is approximately 20,200 kilometres (12,600 mi).[1][2]
Semi-synchronous orbits are typical for GPS satellites.
See also
References
- ↑ (PDF) NASA Technical Standard 8719.14 (draft) (Report). NASA Orbital Debris Program Office. 8 Aug 2006. Archived from the original on 2006-08-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20060823194932/http://www.orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/library/references.html.
- ↑ "Catalog of Earth Satellite Orbits". 6 Sep 2012. http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/OrbitsCatalog/page2.php.
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