Geosynchronous Orbit

• Geosynchronous orbit (GEO) is an orbit around Earth that is roughly one day in length. An object in geosynchronous orbit will appear to remain at the same longitude and to an earthbound observer will appear at the same point in the sky at the same time each day. In order to reach GEO, a rocket will need a speed of 26,400 miles per hour. Reaching this orbit is a two-step process. A rocket must first enter a geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO), which is an elliptical orbit. The orbit is then circularized by the firing of the rocket's apogee motor.