NAVSTAR GPS satellites are in which orbital class?

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Study for the Space and National Security Test. Review with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question includes hints and explanations. Prepare for your exam!

Multiple Choice

NAVSTAR GPS satellites are in which orbital class?

Explanation:
Medium Earth Orbit. NAVSTAR GPS satellites sit at about 20,200 km up, completing an orbit in roughly 12 hours with an inclination of about 55 degrees. This altitude places them in MEO, a balance that gives global coverage with good signal strength and manageable satellite geometry for accurate trilateration. If they were in low Earth orbit, you’d need many more satellites and they’d move quickly across the sky, reducing visibility time. If they were geostationary, they'd appear fixed above a spot on the equator, which would limit geometry for receivers and degrade positioning accuracy. Highly elliptical orbits are used for different mission profiles and aren’t suited for a global, continuous navigation system like GPS.

Medium Earth Orbit. NAVSTAR GPS satellites sit at about 20,200 km up, completing an orbit in roughly 12 hours with an inclination of about 55 degrees. This altitude places them in MEO, a balance that gives global coverage with good signal strength and manageable satellite geometry for accurate trilateration.

If they were in low Earth orbit, you’d need many more satellites and they’d move quickly across the sky, reducing visibility time. If they were geostationary, they'd appear fixed above a spot on the equator, which would limit geometry for receivers and degrade positioning accuracy. Highly elliptical orbits are used for different mission profiles and aren’t suited for a global, continuous navigation system like GPS.

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