Near the earth surface, time period of the satellite T = 2π √R 3 / GM = √3π / Gp
T = 2π √R / g = 5.08 * 10 3 s = 84 min.
where p is the average density of earth. Artificial satellites are of two types:
1. Geostationary or Parking Satellites
A satellite which appears to be at a fixed position at a definite height to an observer on earth is called geostationary or parking satellite.
Height from earth’ s surface = 36000 km
Radius of orbit = 42400 km
Time period = 24 h
Orbital velocity = 3.1 km / s
Angular velocity = 2π / 24 = π / 12 rad / h
There satellites revolve around the earth in equatorial orbits.