Understanding the difference between geostationary and geosynchronous orbits

Geostationary and geosynchronous orbits are two types of orbits used by satellites orbiting the Earth. While they share some similarities, there are some distinct differences between the two. In this post, we will explore the five main differences between geostationary and geosynchronous orbits.

• Circular vs non-circular: Geostationary orbits are circular, whereas geosynchronous orbits are not.
• Equatorial plane vs inclined: Geostationary orbits lie in the equatorial plane and have zero inclination, while geosynchronous orbits are inclined with respect to the equatorial plane.
• One vs many: There is only one geostationary orbit, while there can be many geosynchronous orbits.
• Same period: Satellites in both orbits have the same period of 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4.1 seconds.
• Stationary vs oscillating: Satellites in geostationary orbit appear stationary with respect to Earth, while satellites in geosynchronous orbit appear to oscillate with respect to a point on Earth.

Understanding the differences between these two types of orbits is important in many fields, including telecommunications and Earth observation. By knowing which type of orbit a satellite is in, we can predict its movement and ensure that it is functioning as intended.