Lab Log # 7

LEO' s or Low Earth orbiting satellites can often be found in satellite consellations. One of these such satellites covers a very small area, and cover higher angular velocities so as to maintain its orbit. Since the area that is being covered by these LEO satellites is small many are needed to maintain continuous coverage. These such satellites are deployed into satellite constellations. An example of this kind of constellation that a LEO often travels in is a GPS. These GPS's allow people to find their way from one point to another when driving, hiking, or boating somewhere new and don't know the turrain.

MEO's or Medium Earth Orbiting satellites ornit in the area between 100 and 1000 miles above the Earth's surface. These satellites are farther away from the earth than a LEO satellite, but still lower than a GEO satellite. Unlike the LEO satellites quick orbits, the MEO satellite can take any where from 2 to 12 hours to complete its orbit around the Earth. The speed and altitude remain constant throughout its orbit, as its orbit ensures that by being a perfect circle.
Earth based transmitters that have low frequencies are able to reach these satellites. Using several MEO satellites it is possible to have global wireless communication. In comparision to the LEO satellites coverage, it would take seven LEO satellites to cover the distance that one MEO satellite can cover. An example of something that uses the MEO satellites are cellular phones, as they provide communication on a global scale.

GEO's or Geosynchronour Earth Orbiting satellites are the satellites that pass points on the Earht constantly on a regular basis. A GEO satellite that is found over the equator is known as a geostationary satellite. GEO satellites are generally stationed over parts of the equator, for transmitting and receiving of antennas on Earth that will work without tracking satellites. One example of an antenna that a GEO is responsible for revolving are ones that involve weather forecasting, global communication, and television broadcasting. Though GEO satellites are useful they also have their faults. Due to the huge distance that the GEO satellites are away from the Earth, radio signals take a quarter of a second to reach the satellite and return to the Earth. These radio signals could possibly interfer with the Earth's telecommunication, thus making it harder for people to communicate with one another.