geosynchronous orbit
- noun
- /ˌdʒiːoʊˈsɪŋkrənəs ˈɔːrbɪt/
- Specialized
- Satellites in a geosynchronous orbit remain above the same point on Earth as they rotate with the planet.
Examples
-
The industrialization of the Moon paves the way for reusable human interplanetary spacecraft, large communications, and remote sensing platforms in geosynchronous orbit, and the settlement of Mars.
Blog text (33) -
I thought about having the Falcon place powersats into geosynchronous orbit.
Fiction book (2002) -
The launch vehicle is ready for its most direct route to geosynchronous orbit.
-
Consider a satellite in geosynchronous orbit.
Blog text (1) -
We are 22,000 miles away in geosynchronous orbit.
Fiction book (2000) -
As you will remember from your studies, these panels provide power to the small thrusters that keep the ship in its geosynchronous orbit.
Fiction book (1991) -
Equidistant satellites in geosynchronous orbit are highlighted.
Fiction book (1997) -
The receiver satellite above is one of a network positioned in geosynchronous orbit, meaning it drifts through space at a speed and on a course that keeps it always above the same spot on the Earth.
Fiction book (1994) -
The satellite is being designed to remain in geosynchronous orbit 22,000 miles above Earth for at least five years, providing a constant stream of data about the complex magnetic fields generated in the solar interior.
Academic text (2002) -
Using its maneuvering engines and Hall thrusters, the satellite finally arrived in geosynchronous orbit in late October last year; fourteen months after launch, and almost a year behind schedule.
Blog text (5)
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is compositionally built from 'geosynchronous' (synchronous with the Earth's rotation / a 24-hour orbital period) and 'orbit' (a path around the Earth), so a learner who knows both constituents can infer it denotes an orbit that remains in sync with the Earth's rotation. Although technical, the concept follows transparent morphological and semantic composition and is expressed similarly across many languages.
Etymology
The noun geosynchronous orbit comes from the parts geo meaning 'Earth' and synchronous meaning 'same time'. In this orbit a satellite takes one full day to go around the Earth, so it moves with the Earth's turn and seems to stay above the same spot, which is why we use it for steady communication or weather coverage.