Positions and scan patterns of the GOES geostationary weather satellites. Geostationary satellites are in an orbit above the equator, at a height that makes their orbital period exactly one day. This means they are always above the same point on the Earth's surface. The altitude of a geostationary orbit is 35, 786 kilometres above the surface. The relatively stationary orbit allows the satellite to constantly observe the same hemisphere of the Earth, and also to communicate with one fixed antenna on the surface. The GOES satellites take 26 minutes to complete one scan of the Earth, in the pattern seen here. | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit : | Science Photo Library / NOAA / SSEC / RICK KOHRS |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property release : | Non requis |
Durée : | 23 Secondes |
Aspect ratio : | 16/9 |
Restrictions : | - |