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To: decimon

I figured we had satellites already orbiting like that.


26 posted on 07/26/2010 7:54:48 PM PDT by wastedyears (The Founders revolted for less.)
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To: wastedyears

Nope- a stable orbit without thrusters must be focused on the centre of the earth, so geosynchronous orbits are only possible over the equator. Satellites that orbit above or below the equator actually cross the equator at an angle twice during each orbit; the angle at which it crosses will be the same as the maximum north and south lattitude over which it will orbit.


32 posted on 07/26/2010 8:48:25 PM PDT by Squawk 8888 (TSA and DHS are jobs programs for people who are not smart enough to flip burgers)
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