Explain how a satellite is placed into a geostationary orbit?
Answers
When launching geostationary satellites, it is important that the satellites can be launched towards the east, where the launch impulse is aided by the spin of the Earth. This ‘slingshot’ effect increases the speed of a launcher by 460 m/s. These factors save fuel and money, and prolong the active life of satellites. The launch site should be as close as possible to the equator, so that the assistance is as large as possible. For polar orbiting satellites it is better to have open water towards either the south or the north.
this is based on the Hohmann transfer principle. This is the method use when the Shuttle launches satellites into orbit. Using this system the satellite is placed into a low earth orbit with an altitude of around 180 miles. Once in the correct position in this orbit rockets are fired to put the satellite into an elliptical orbit with the perigee at the low earth orbit and the apogee at the geostationary orbit.
When the satellite reaches the final altitude the rocket or booster is again fired to retain it in the geostationary orbit with the correct velocity.