University of Central Florida (UCF) PSC1121 Physical Science Final Practice Exam

A geosynchronous orbit specifically refers to an orbit where a satellite takes the same amount of time to complete one full revolution around the Earth as it does for the Earth to rotate once on its axis, which is approximately 24 hours. This unique characteristic allows the satellite to appear to remain fixed over a specific point on the Earth's surface when viewed from the ground.

In contrast, an elliptical orbit would not provide the same constant positional relationship with the Earth's surface because it varies in distance and hence the satellite's speed would change throughout its orbit. An orbit below the Earth's atmosphere would not be sustainable for satellites, as atmospheric drag would pull them back to the surface. Similarly, an orbit that varies in distance from the Earth would lead to changes in visibility and not maintain a consistent position relative to a point on the ground, making it distinct from what is implied by 'geosynchronous.' Thus, the definition of a geosynchronous orbit revolves around the time it takes to complete an orbit, aligning it directly with the Earth's rotation period.