GIS Dictionary

Browse dictionary

geostationary

URL copied Share URL
  1. [astronomy] Positioned in an orbit above the earth's equator with an angular velocity the same as that of the earth and an inclination and eccentricity approaching zero. A geostationary satellite will orbit as fast as the earth rotates on its axis, so that it remains effectively stationary above a point on the equator. A geostationary satellite is geosynchronous, but geosynchronous satellites are not necessarily geostationary.

Related Terms