makingamark
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- 2017
i hope so
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Can anyone provide a good definition for "low earth orbits"? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter makingamark
- Start date
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satelights are distinct from geostationary satelites in that they have a much faster orbital velocity then the earth, thus they have shorter periods and may 'survey' the earth more then once every 24hours. It is easier to acheive this speed from a closer difference (shorter radius) so they orbit the earth from close distances. LEO's will decay much faster due to the higher atmospheric density near the surface of the earth. This results in the reduction in kinetic energy and build up of heat, hence why many Leo's burn up whilst crashing towards earth. LEO Satelights are useful for forecasting weather, studying climate fluctuations and can be adjusted in direction and height to do so. Dangers such as collisions with other LEO Satelights or airmobile structures are prevented through the collaboration with the LEO's flight systems
kashkow
Active Member
yes, Low Earth Orbits (LEO's) are orbits around Earth that are between around 250 km - 1000 km where the van Allen belts start to occur. The previous post is good to describe them and compare them to geostationary orbits but I wouldn't really say it's a "definition".