Above the surface of Earth, a geostationary satellite is placed at a height of about:

CONCEPT:

Geostationary Satellite

• A geostationary satellite is a type of satellite that appears to be stationary with respect to a fixed point on Earth.
• It orbits the Earth at the same rotational speed as the Earth, allowing it to stay fixed above a specific longitude.
• To achieve this, the satellite must be placed in a circular orbit directly above the Earth's equator.
• The height of a geostationary satellite is determined by the balance between the gravitational force and the centripetal force required for its circular motion.

EXPLANATION:

• The height of a geostationary satellite is approximately 36,000 kilometers above the Earth's surface.
• This specific height is derived based on the condition that the satellite's orbital period matches the Earth's rotational period, which is 24 hours.
• At this altitude:
  • The gravitational force provides the necessary centripetal force for the satellite's circular motion.
  • The satellite appears stationary relative to an observer on Earth because its orbital angular velocity matches Earth's rotational angular velocity.

Therefore, the geostationary satellite is placed at a height of about 36,000 km above the Earth's surface.