Geosynchronous Orbit Radius

r = 3 \frac{GM T ^{2}}{4 π ^{2}}

Radius of an orbit with a specific period. For geosynchronous orbit, T equals the planet's rotation period.

Variables

Orbital radius

Distance from center of planet

Gravitational constant

6.674×10⁻¹¹

N·m²/kg²

Planet mass

Mass of planet

Orbital period

Time for one orbit (24 hrs for Earth geosync)

From T = 2π√(r³/GM), solve for r: r³ = GMT²/(4π²), so r = (GMT²/4π²)^(1/3).

0/5000