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- Let's break this down:
- Geostationary Satellites:
- - Geostationary Orbit: A satellite in geostationary orbit remains fixed over one spot on the Earth's surface. This is because it orbits the Earth at the same rate the Earth rotates, effectively hovering over the same location 24/7.
- - Continuous Surveillance: This makes geostationary satellites ideal for continuous monitoring of a specific area, such as weather observation or communication.
- Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellites:
- - Overflying Requirement: Satellites that are not in geostationary orbit, such as those in low Earth orbit (LEO), move quickly across the sky and only pass over specific locations at certain times.
- - Coverage Limitations: If you need real-time surveillance in an area and don't have a geostationary satellite already positioned there, you'd have to wait for a LEO satellite to pass over that region. This can take time depending on the satellite's orbit.
- Comparison with Supersonic Aircraft:
- - Speed and Flexibility: Supersonic aircraft, on the other hand, can be dispatched to a location relatively quickly, usually within a few hours, offering more flexibility and rapid response compared to waiting for a satellite pass.
- The Problem Explained:
- - The statement highlights a limitation: while geostationary satellites offer constant surveillance, if no such satellite is over your target area, waiting for another type of satellite to pass over can be inefficient. In contrast, supersonic aircraft can quickly reach and monitor the area, though they can't provide the same constant coverage as a geostationary satellite.
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