Circular Orbit – Definition and Pronunciation
What is Circular Orbit?
Circular Orbit is a satellite orbit where the distance between the center of mass of the satellite and of the earth is constant.
Examples of Circular Orbit
The thrust required for the different space missions falls into the ranges: 200–400 N for elliptic-circular orbit transfer, 80–100 mN for station keeping of a GSO satellite and a few micro-N for precise positioning of scientific probes.
From “Satellite Technology Advances: Electric Propulsion and Launch Platforms”.
Satellites can reside in a number of near-earth orbits. The geostationary orbit (GSO) is a concentric circular orbit in the plane of the earth’s equator at 35 786 km (22 236 miles) of altitude from the earth’s surface (42 164 km from the earth’s center – the earth’s radius being 6 378 km).
From “Exploring the Future of Satellites”.
Geostationary communications satellites are launched into the geostationary orbit (GSO), which is a circular orbit 35 700 km (19 270 nautical miles) above the equator and lying in the plane of the equator.
From “Empowering Global Communication with INMARSAT Satellites in shipping”.
Pronunciation of Circular Orbit
