Orbits
Technology · कक्षाएं
📋Quick Overview
An orbit is the curved path an object takes around a celestial body due to gravity. Different types of orbits serve different purposes — communication satellites use geostationary orbits, while Earth observation satellites prefer polar or Sun-synchronous orbits. The altitude, inclination, and eccentricity define an orbit.
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Geostationary orbit (GEO) is at 35,786 km above Earth's equator — satellite appears stationary from Earth
📖Types of Orbits
| Orbit | Altitude | Period | Used For |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEO (Low Earth Orbit) | 160–2000 km | 90 min | ISS, Earth imaging, Starlink |
| MEO (Medium Earth Orbit) | 2000–35786 km | 2–12 hrs | GPS, GLONASS, NavIC |
| GEO (Geostationary) | 35,786 km | 24 hrs | INSAT, GSAT, TV broadcast |
| SSO (Sun-Synchronous) | 600–800 km | ~98 min | IRS, Cartosat, weather |
| Polar Orbit | ~800 km | ~100 min | Complete Earth coverage |
| HEO (Highly Elliptical) | Varies | ~12 hrs | Molniya satellites (Russia), high-latitude coverage |
📝Key Orbit Concepts
- •Lagrange Points: L1 to L5 — gravitational equilibrium points between two bodies. Aditya-L1 is at Sun-Earth L1 point
- •Escape velocity from Earth: 11.2 km/s
- •Orbital velocity at LEO: ~7.8 km/s
- •Transfer orbit (GTO): used to move satellite from LEO to GEO
- •Graveyard orbit: satellites moved here after end of life (above GEO)
- •Kessler Syndrome: chain reaction of space debris collisions in orbit