SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/aero-geosynchronous-once-a-day

About how high is a circular geosynchronous orbit?

About 36,000 kilometers (22,000 miles) above Earth's surface.

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  1. About 400 kilometers
  2. About 36,000 kilometers ✔
  3. About 384,000 kilometers

Why: At about 36,000 km up, a satellite takes one day to go around, matching Earth's spin. 400 km is where the space station flies, and 384,000 km is about the distance to the Moon.

Huh, didn't know that: Its exact period is 23 hours 56 minutes 4 seconds, one turn of Earth compared with the stars.

The dad joke
Geosynchronous satellites are great dancers. They always keep in step with Earth.
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References

Answer: About 36,000 kilometers. At about 36,000 km up, a satellite takes one day to go around, matching Earth's spin. 400 km is where the space station flies, and 384,000 km is about the distance to the Moon.

  1. NASA Earth Observatory, Catalog of Earth Satellite Orbits science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-observatory/catalog-of-earth-satellite-orbits
    a weather satellite about 36,000 kilometers from Earth’s surface takes 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 seconds to complete an orbit.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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