geostationary satellite [¦jē·ō¦stā·shǝ´ner·ē `sad·ǝl´īt] AEROSPACE ENGINEERING A satellite that orbits the earth from west to east at such a speed as to remain fixed over a given place on the earth's equator at approximately 22,300 miles (35,900 kilometers) altitude; makes one revolution in 24 hours, synchronous with the earth's rotation. Also known as geosynchronous satellite; synchronous satellite. |