This document discusses the four main types of satellite orbits: 1) GEO (geostationary earth orbit) satellites orbit at 36,000 km from Earth and are used for radio, TV, etc. due to their ability to cover large areas with few satellites. However, they require large antennas and transmission power. 2) MEO (medium earth orbit) satellites operate between 5,000-12,000 km and require a moderate number of satellites but higher transmission power and specialized antennas. 3) LEO (low earth orbit) satellites orbit within 1,500 km and require low transmission power but a large number (50-200) of satellites for global coverage and have short lifespans of 5-

1. A.Usha.,M.Sc.,M.Phil.,B.Ed.,
Assistant Professor Of Physics,
Bon Secours College for Women.
Topic : Types of satellite orbits

2.  WHAT IS SATELLITE :
 A satellite is a moon, planet or machine that
orbits a planet or star.

3.  TYPES OF SATELLITE ORBITS:
There are 4 types of orbits, they are:
 1. GEO (Geo-stationary earth orbit)
 2. MEO (medium earth orbit)
 3. LEO (Low earth orbit) and
 4. HEO (Highly elliptical orbit)

4.  GEO (GEO-STATIONARY EARTH ORBIT):
 These satellites have almost a distance of 36,000 km to the
earth.
 E.g. All radio and TV, whether satellite etc, are launched in
this orbit.

5.  ADVANTAGES OF GEO-
STATIONARY EARTH ORBIT
 It is possible to cover almost all parts of the earth with just 3
geo satellites.
 Antennas need not be adjusted every now and then but can be
fixed permanently.
 The life-time of a GEO satellite is quite high usually around 15
years.

6.  DISADVANTAGES OF GEO-STATIONARY EARTH ORBIT
:
 Larger antennas are required for northern/southern regions of
the earth.
 High buildings in a city limit the transmission quality.
 High transmission power is required.
 These satellites cannot be used for small mobile phones.
 Fixing a satellite at Geo stationary orbit is very expensive.

7.  MEO(MEDIUM EARTH ORBIT)
 Satellite at different orbits operates at different heights. The MEO
satellite operates at about 5000 to 12000 km away from the earth's
surface.
 These orbits have moderate number of satellites.

8.  ADVANTAGES OF MEDIUM EARTH ORBIT
 Compared to LEO system, MEO requires only a dozen satellites.
 Simple in design.
 Requires very few handovers.

9.  DISADVANTAGES OF MEDIUM EARTH ORBIT
 Satellites require higher transmission power.
 Special antennas are required.

10.  LEO(LOW EARTH ORBIT ):
 LEO satellites operate at a distance of about 500-1500
km.

11.  ADVANTAGES OF LOW EARTH ORBIT:
 The antennas can have low transmission power of
about 1 watt.
 The delay of packets is relatively low.
 Useful for smaller foot prints.

12.  DISADVANTAGES OF LOW EARTH ORBIT
 If global coverage is required, it requires at least 50-200
satellites in this orbit.
 Special handover mechanisms are required.
 These satellites involve complex design.
 Very short life: Time of 5-8 years. Assuming 48 satellites with a
life-time of 8 years each, a new satellite is needed every 2 months.
 Data packets should be routed from satellite to satellite.

13.  HEO(HIGHLY ELLIPTICAL ORBIT):
 This orbit is made for satellites that do not revolve in
circular orbits, only a very few satellite are operating in
this orbit.

14. THANK YOU