What is approximately the height of a synchronous satellite from the earth’s surface?
The approximate height of a synchronous satellite from the Earth’s surface is 36,000 km. Synchronous satellites orbit the Earth at this altitude, matching the Earth’s rotational period, and appearing stationary relative to a fixed point on the Earth’s surface.
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The approximate height of a synchronous satellite from the Earth’s surface is 36,000 km, which is; option [A]. Synchronous satellites, also known as geostationary satellites, orbit the Earth at the same rate as the Earth’s rotation, appearing stationary relative to a fixed point on the Earth’s surface. This orbit is achieved when the satellite’s orbital period matches the Earth’s rotational period, which is approximately 24 hours. To maintain this synchronous orbit, the satellite must be located at a specific distance from the Earth’s surface. This distance, known as the geostationary orbit altitude, is approximately 36,000 km above the Earth’s equator. At this altitude, the satellite completes one orbit around the Earth in 24 hours, matching the Earth’s rotational period and enabling it to remain stationary relative to a fixed point on the Earth’s surface. Therefore, option A correctly identifies the approximate height of a synchronous satellite from the Earth’s surface, highlighting its significance in telecommunications, weather monitoring, and other applications requiring continuous coverage of a specific area on the Earth’s surface.