A subsynchronous orbit is an
orbit
In celestial mechanics, an orbit is the curved trajectory of an object such as the trajectory of a planet around a star, or of a natural satellite around a planet, or of an artificial satellite around an object or position in space such as ...
of a
satellite
A satellite or artificial satellite is an object intentionally placed into orbit in outer space. Except for passive satellites, most satellites have an electricity generation system for equipment on board, such as solar panels or radioiso ...
that is nearer the planet than it would be if it were in
synchronous orbit, i.e. the orbital period is less than the
sidereal day of the planet.
[
]
Technical considerations
An Earth satellite that is in (a prograde) subsynchronous orbit will appear to drift eastward as seen from the Earth's surface.[
]
Economic importance in commercial spaceflight
The '' Geosynchronous-belt subsynchronous orbital regime'' is regularly used in spaceflight
Spaceflight (or space flight) is an application of astronautics to fly spacecraft into or through outer space, either with or without humans on board. Most spaceflight is uncrewed and conducted mainly with spacecraft such as satellites in ...
. This orbit is typically used to house working communication satellites that have not yet been deactivated, and may be still be used again in geostationary service if the need arises.[
]
See also
* Supersynchronous orbit
* List of orbits
References
Orbits
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