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
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Unlike traditional geostationary satellites, which suffer from high latency and limited throughput, LEO satellites operate at lower altitudes—reducing signal travel time and improving data rates. Iri Trashanki, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025 True Anomaly launched three demo satellites into low Earth orbit last year and announced plans to deploy its first experimental space defenders into geostationary and cislunar orbits (an orbit between Earth in the moon affected by the gravity of both) in 2026. IEEE Spectrum, 11 May 2025 The proposal would scale back the planned replacement for NOAA's existing geostationary operational environmental satellites. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 10 May 2025 This heavy-lift rocket is capable of carrying a payload of more than 28,600 pounds to geostationary transfer orbit and 99,208 pounds to low Earth orbit. Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for geostationary

Word History

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of geostationary was in 1961

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Cite this Entry

“Geostationary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/geostationary. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

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