Question

difference between geostationary satellite and polar satellite​

Answer 1

Hi,

Any satellite, has to have rotational speed, like a stone on a string, to be able to stay up in orbit. . An orbit can be in any direction around the planet it is orbiting around. Polar orbits mean that such a satellite covers every part of the Earth many times, because the Earth is also rotating, so a polar orbit satellite going over the north and south poles, will see a different part of the Earth on each orbit. . These are good for photographing the Earth and for many other measurements and for many scientific purposes.

A satellite orbiting around the Equator will only see the equatorial parts of the Earth. . Useful if all you want is photographing for weather and other purposes, in the equatorial parts of the Earth, but not useful for observing or photographing areas further north or south of the equator area.

But you asked about Geostationary, which is completely different. . Close in orbits have to be fast, to provide that centrifugal force to keep them away from Earth. The further out, the greater distance from Earth, the slower they can rotate around the Earth, and still have the required centrifugal force to hold them out there. Like a stone on a long string can be swung slower.

There is distance around 23,000 miles out, where the orbital speed required to hold it out is about 1,000 miles per hour, if measured on the ground, that is its angular rotation around Earth takes 24 hours to go round. . This could make it go round the world every 12 hours if it is sent one way round, or never as in staying above the same place on Earth all the time, when rotating in the same direction as the Earth is rotating in, because the Earth is also rotating at 24hours per day. . This means that such a satellite appears to be stationary, it is not, but it does appear to be stationary above the same place above Earth’s surface. That has to be above the Equator. Hence the word Geo-stationary.

Geostationary satellites are not much use for photography because they are above the same part of Earth all the time, and too far away for good pictures, although might be useful for some Weather photography. . Their main use is for Radio communications. You can’t easily send radio signals round the world in a curve. ( Although that is exactly what I used to do, but only small bandwidth.) . But by sending the radio up from one Ground station dish to the Geostationary satellite, then it can relay the signals back down to Earth or distant stations to receive. . Before Optical Fibre undersea cables, Geostationary satellites used to be the main way to get a lot of communications signals all over the world, including this message on the Internet, to you. :-)

Answer 2

The satellites which revolve near the poles of the earth are called polar satellites.

The satellites whose period of revolution is exactly same as the period of revolution of axial motion of earth are called geostationary satellites.

hope this helps u❤️