geostationary

adjective

geo·​sta·​tion·​ary ˌjē-ō-ˈstā-shə-ˌner-ē How to pronounce geostationary (audio)
: being or having an equatorial orbit at an altitude of about 22,300 miles (35,900 kilometers) requiring an angular velocity the same as that of the earth so that the position of a satellite in such an orbit is fixed with respect to the earth

Examples of geostationary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web For example, Helios could take over propulsion responsibilities after deploying from a Falcon 9 and then ferry a large satellite of up to 4 tons into geostationary orbit. Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 19 Jan. 2024 For example, Helios is intended to propel up to 4 tons launched on a Falcon 9, and 5 tons on Relativity's Terran R vehicle, directly into geostationary orbit. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 17 Jan. 2024 Most communications satellites at the time rested in a geostationary orbit, which matched the Earth’s rotation, fixing each craft in place from the perspective of someone on the ground. Matt Day, Fortune, 18 Dec. 2023 Making optical inter-satellite links work As early as 2001, the European Space Agency established the first inter-satellite link, between low earth and geostationary orbits. IEEE Spectrum, 18 Dec. 2023 The compelling imagery comes to us from the GOES East satellite, located in geostationary orbit. Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 1 Dec. 2023 From geostationary orbit, FY-4A keeps ceaseless watch over a window of Earth’s surface between 50 degrees north and south and 40 and 140 degrees east, covering South and East Asia, the Indian Ocean, most of Australia, and slivers of Arabia and the Horn of Africa. IEEE Spectrum, 28 Nov. 2023 The device uses a flip-up antenna that communicates with Intelsat Galaxy satellites in geostationary orbits. IEEE Spectrum, 13 Feb. 2017 Similar technologies have been used before by European Space Agency satellites in geostationary orbit and a NASA moon orbiter. Ramin Skibba, WIRED, 13 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'geostationary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of geostationary was in 1961

Dictionary Entries Near geostationary

Cite this Entry

“Geostationary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/geostationary. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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