INGENIEUR
INGENIEUR
Low-Earth-Orbit( LEO) |
Middle-Earth-Orbit( MEO) |
Geostationary-Earth- |
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Orbit( GEO) |
Altitude 600-1,600 km 9,000-15,000 km 37,000 km
Rotation Time |
90 minutes- 3 hours |
24 hours per day elliptical |
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orbital |
24 hours, synchronous with the Earth’ s rotation
Advantages- Reduces signal delay.- Eliminates the need for large equipment such as antenna receiver.
- Simple satellite design.- Requires very few handovers.
- Able to cover the entire Earth using only three satellites.- The antenna does not need to be adjusted by simply setting it to a fixed position.- Longer life expectancy( 15 years).- Provides an overview of climate change on Earth.- Broadcast television without disruptions.
Disadvantages- Covers only a small area.- Has a short lifespan( 5-8 years).
- Requires specific antenna.- Requires higher power transmission.
- Requires larger antenna for the northern and southern hemispheres of the earth.- High-rise buildings can weaken the transmission signal.- Costly to send GEO satellites into orbit.
Application Little LEO( 0.8 GHz)- Vehicle tracking, environmental monitoring and two-way data communication.- Used for short, narrowband communications.
Big LEO( 2 GHz)- The main uses are data communications and real-time voice delivery to hand-held devices.- Used for technology devices such as highspeed, high-bandwidth data communications, and video conferencing.
Mega LEO( 20-30 GHz)- Mainly handles broadband data. These systems are optimised for packet-switched data rather than voice.
- Orbits are primarily reserved for communications satellites that cover the North and South Poles.- The navigation system of GPS( Global Positioning Systems) that covers the entire planet.
- Observations of climate change on Earth and in communications systems.
Main types of orbits and their specifications
78 VOL 67 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2016