Geosynchronous orbit
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A geosynchronous orbit is an Earth-centered orbit with an orbital period that matches Earth's rotation on its axis, 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 seconds. The synchronization of rotation and orbital per
The geosynchronous orbit was popularised by the science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke, and is thus sometimes called the Clarke Orbit.
Syncom 2: The first functional geosynchronous satellite
A quasi-zenith satellite orbit
A computer-generated image of space debris. Two debris fields are shown: around geosynchronous space and low Earth orbit.
Syncom
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Syncom started as a 1961 NASA program for active geosynchronous communication satellites, all of which were developed and manufactured by the Space and Communications division of Hughes Aircraft Compa
Geosynchronous orbit
…and used dipole antennas producing a pancake-shaped waveform. In August 1961, they were contracted to begin building the working satellite. They lost Syncom 1 to electronics failure, but Syncom 2 was successfully placed into a geosynchronous orbit in 1963. Although its inclined orbit still required moving…
Artist's vision of Syncom satellite, 1963
Syncom launch sequence
Stamp showing Syncom 3