synchronous orbit

noun

A satellite orbit where the orbital period is equal to, or multiples of, the Earth’s rotational period; i.e. making one, two, three, etc., orbits in a 24-hour period. Examples include geosynchronous (period equals Earth's rotation), semisynchronous (two orbits per day); and geostationary (geosynchronous orbit where satellite maintains a fixed position on the equator).

Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

nounsynchronous orbit (plural synchronous orbits)

plural synchronous orbits

  1. A satellite orbit where the orbital period is equal to, or multiples of, the Earth’s rotational period; i.e. making one, two, three, etc., orbits in a 24-hour period. Examples include geosynchronous (period equals Earth's rotation), semisynchronous (two orbits per day); and geostationary (geosynchronous orbit where satellite maintains a fixed position on the equator).
Cite this entry
APA

synchronous orbit. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/synchronous%20orbit

MLA

“synchronous orbit.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/synchronous%20orbit. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “synchronous orbit,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/synchronous%20orbit.

Source: synchronous orbit on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.