Types of Orbits
The list of orbits are given below:
1. Geostationary Orbit (GEO)
2. Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
3. Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)
4. Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO)
5. Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO)
The characteristics of the above-mentioned types of orbits is given below:
GEO – Geostationary Earth Orbit
It is also called Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit.
It is a low inclination orbit.
It makes satellites placed in it appear ‘Stationary’. [Reason – They have an orbital period that is the
same as the earth’s rotation period. Hence, the satellite/spacecraft returns to the same point in the sky
at the same time each day.]
Communication satellites are often placed in GEO. [Reason – This makes it easy for Earth Antennas
to track them without rotation]
The GEO satellites are directly overhead at the Earth’s equator. [To an observer who is near to the
pole, these will appear lower in the sky.]
ISRO’s Indian National Satellite System [INSAT] is placed in GEO. [It is one of the largest domestic
communication satellite systems in the Asia-Pacific region.]
Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
It is relatively closer to the Earth’s surface than other orbits.
The altitude from the earth’s surface could be between 160 Km to 1000 Km.
The satellites placed in LEO can have a tilted plane.
It is one of the commonly used orbits. [Reason – The satellites placed in it have more available routes
as they don’t have to follow a particular path around the Earth as the GEO]
It is used for satellite imaging. [The images are of high resolution as the orbit is closer to the surface
of the earth.]
The International Space Station (ISS) uses LEO [It makes travel of astronauts easier]
It is used by remote sensing satellites.
Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)
The orbit, altitude of which is between LEO and GEO, is known as Medium Earth Orbit.
It is also known as Intermediate Circular Orbit.
