Question

Consider the following:

1. Medium Earth Orbit satellites have an average orbital period of 24 hours.

2. LEO satellites have a typical propagation delay of about 10 ms.

3. GEO satellites require lower launch costs compared to LEO.

Which of the statements is/are correct?

• A. 2 only
• B. 1 & 3 only
• C. 1 & 2 only
• D. All are correct

Answer 1

Answer:

A. 2 only

• Correct Answer: Option A - 2 only

• Medium Earth Orbit satellites have an average orbital period of 24 hours - False

• Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites orbit at altitudes between Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), typically between 2,000 km and 35,786 km.

• MEO satellites have orbital periods ranging from approximately 2 to 24 hours depending on their altitude. However, satellites with a 24-hour orbital period are specifically called geosynchronous satellites, which are in the GEO category, not MEO. MEO satellites typically have orbital periods of around 6-12 hours.

• LEO satellites have a typical propagation delay of about 10 ms - True

• Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites orbit at altitudes between 160 km and 2,000 km above Earth's surface. Due to their proximity to Earth, they have much lower signal propagation delays compared to higher orbits.

• The typical one-way propagation delay for LEO satellites is indeed around 10-15 milliseconds, making this statement correct.

• GEO satellites require lower launch costs compared to LEO - False

• This statement is incorrect. Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites orbit at approximately 35,786 km above Earth's equator. Launching satellites to higher altitudes like GEO requires more fuel and energy, resulting in higher launch costs compared to LEO satellites.

• LEO satellites are much closer to Earth (below 2,000 km) and therefore require less energy to reach their orbital position.