The period of the moon's orbit around the Earth is approximately 27.32 days, and the semi-major axis of its orbit is about 385 000 km. Find the radius and location of the circular orbit of a geosynchronous satellite (i.e., one that remains above the same point on the Earth's surface).
A) 69 742 km, in the equatorial plane
B) 35 016 km, in the equatorial plane
C) 42 443 km, in the equatorial plane
D) 45 229 km, in a polar plane
E) none of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A geosynchronous satellite orbits the Earth with a period of 24 hours. Using Kepler's third law and the known gravitational parameters, the radius of such an orbit is approximately 42,443 km, and it must be in the equatorial plane to remain above the same point on Earth's surface.

The Period of the Moon's Orbit Around the Earth Is