ESS55
Prof. Jin-Yi Yu
GEO and LEO
qGEO
satellites orbit the earth as fast as the Earth spins.
qThey
hover over a single point above the Earth at an altitude
of about 36,000 km.
qTo
maintain their positions, GEO satellites must stay over the
equator.
qThey
have continuous high-quality views of the tropics and
mid-latitudes.
qThey
have a poor view of the polar regions.
qLEO satellites go around and around from pole to pole.
qThey have a better view of the polar regions.
qBut they fly over any particular certain regions of the Earth twice a day.
qThey can not provide a global view of the Earth.