Knowra Medium Earth orbit Medium Earth orbit Medium Earth orbit is the region of Earth orbit between low Earth orbit and geostationary altitude, commonly defined as roughly 2,000 to 35,786 kilometers above the surface.
Global Positioning System : The United States satellite navigation system that provides positioning, navigation, and timing services worldwide. Its satellites orbit in MEO to provide broad coverage with fewer spacecraft than low-orbit systems.
Orbital period : The time an orbiting body takes to complete one revolution around its primary. MEO altitude determines how long a satellite takes to circle Earth.
Low Earth orbit : Earth orbit extending from the atmosphere to roughly 2,000 kilometers above the surface. MEO satellites orbit higher, cover more ground per pass, and generally have greater signal delay.
Radiation hardening : The design and testing of electronics to withstand radiation-induced damage and errors. MEO spacecraft need protection against energetic particles encountered along their orbital paths.
Transit (satellite system) : The first operational satellite navigation system, developed by the United States Navy and launched in 1960. Transit used low polar orbits, preceding the MEO architecture adopted by later global navigation systems.
Galileo (satellite navigation) : The European Union's global satellite navigation system, providing positioning, navigation, and timing services. Its navigation satellites operate in MEO alongside other global constellations.
Kepler's laws of planetary motion : Three laws describing how bodies orbit a central mass, including the relation between orbital period and orbit size. They explain why MEO satellites move more slowly than low-orbit satellites.
Geostationary orbit : A circular equatorial orbit in which a satellite appears fixed above one point on Earth. MEO sacrifices fixed-point coverage for shorter signal paths and less extreme orbital altitude.
Spacecraft shielding : Materials and structures used to reduce radiation exposure inside a spacecraft. Shielding choices balance MEO radiation protection against added mass and launch cost.
NAVSTAR GPS : The United States military satellite navigation program that developed the Global Positioning System. Its design established a large-scale operational use of MEO for global navigation.
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