How are satellites identified? Solution Generally Satelites are identified based on the orbit they are placed in. there are 4 kinds of satelites they are i)Low Earth orbits:Satelites which are placed in the low earth orbits mainly used for military purposes. It will be placed above 160 Km from earths surface. ii)Sun synchronous Satelites: These are placed in heliosynchronous orbits or polar orbits.These satelites orientation is fixed to the orientation of the sun through out the year. iii)Geo Stationary satelites:These satelites take 24 hrs to complete one rotation.These satelites are mainly used for communication purposes.These are placed directly over the equator and their path is the equitorial plane.These are placed at a height of about 35778 Km. iv)Geo synchronous satelites: These are the earth synchronous orbits placed in the orbit so that it revolves exactly along the moment of the earth..