Orbits Of Earth

A geostationary orbit is a type of geosynchronous orbit, which means it has the same orbital period as the rotation of the Earth. This is why satellites in geostationary orbits appear to be stationary in the sky from the perspective of an observer on Earth. The orbit is indeed circular and lies in the plane of the Earth's equator. This is necessary for the satellite to remain above the same location on the Earth's surface. However, the altitude of a geostationary orbit is approximately 35,786 kilometers, or 22,236 miles, above the Earth's equator.