Satellite Orbit Height In Miles

Orbital altitudes range from 2 000 to 36 000 kilometres 1 200 to 22 400 mi above earth.

Satellite orbit height in miles.

Iridium satellites orbit at about 780 km 480 mi. These are most commonly at 20 200 kilometers 12 600 mi or 20 650 kilometers 12 830 mi with an orbital period of 12 hours. At an altitude of 124 miles 200 kilometers the required orbital velocity is a little more than 17 000 mph about 27 400 kph. To maintain an orbit that is 22 223 miles 35 786 kilometers above earth the satellite must orbit at a speed of about 7 000 mph 11 300 kph.

The region below medium orbits is referred to as low earth orbit leo and is about 160 to 2 000 kilometres 99 to 1 243 mi above earth. As the satellite moves the earth rotates underneath it. Geocentric orbits ranging in altitude from 2 000 km 1 240 miles to just below geosynchronous orbit at 35 786 kilometers 22 236 mi. Each satellite circles the earth twice a day.

Lower orbits also aid remote sensing satellites because of the added detail that can be gained. A satellite at this height takes 12 hours to complete an orbit. The semi synchronous orbit is a near circular orbit low eccentricity 26 560 kilometers from the center of the earth about 20 200 kilometers above the surface. Medium earth orbit meo.

A geosynchronous orbit is a high earth orbit that allows satellites to match earth s rotation. As the satellite moves the earth rotates underneath it. The nearer to earth the faster the required orbital velocity. Located at 22 236 miles 35 786 kilometers above earth s equator this position is a valuable spot.

Remote sensing satellites can also take advantage of sun synchronous leo orbits at an altitude of about 800 km 500 mi and near polar inclination. Included in this category are geostationary gso satellites which remain in orbit above a fixed spot on earth. Gps satellites fly in medium earth orbit meo at an altitude of approximately 20 200 km 12 550 miles. Medium earth orbit meo satellites are closer to earth.

Also known as an intermediate circular orbit.