On Wed, 24 Sep 2003 00:22:06 GMT, Ralph Hertle wrote:

Benoit:

An excellent sight.

Using Java place a point on a satellite, and the perspective shows 100s
of satellites that are visible in terms of the motion of the viewing point.

How did so many satellites get lined up in such a neat circular row and
spacing around the earth?

Ralph Hertle


It is done on purpose, they are all on a geostationary orbit. It is a special
orbit about 36 000 kM above Earth's surface where the satellite revolve around
earth in... 24 hours! So they appear to stay motionless over Earth's
surface. Absolutly great for TV satellites and other kind of communication.
Good too for meteo photos


Benoit Morrissette wrote:
On Mon, 22 Sep 2003 18:15:33 -0700 (PDT), (Bill Sheppard)
wrote:


This is why all launchpads on Earth are
directed toward east AND are as close to the equator as they can be.

Vandenberg AFB on the U.S. west coast is used for polar orbit launches.
oc


Yup! I forgot polar orbits. Notice that theses are very energy-expensive. Have
you seen http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/RealTim.../JTrack3D.html ?

Good night!

Benoît Morrissette

Good night!

Benoît Morrissette