How to use the geostationary orbit height calculator
Find the radius and altitude of an orbit that keeps a satellite fixed over one point on Earth. Enter orbital period in the field above; the orbit radius from earth centre, altitude above surface are computed instantly and plotted on the chart so you can see how the answer changes.
Common searches this calculator answers include “geostationary orbit altitude”, “geosynchronous satellite height”, “GEO radius”, “calculate geostationary orbit height”, “find orbit radius from earth centre”.
Formula
Variables
- T — Orbital period (hours)
Worked example
With orbital period = 23.9345 hours, the calculator gives orbit radius from earth centre ≈ 42,164.28 km; altitude above surface ≈ 35,793.28 km.
Frequently asked questions
What is the geostationary orbit height calculator used for?
Find the radius and altitude of an orbit that keeps a satellite fixed over one point on Earth. It helps with questions such as “geostationary orbit altitude”, “geosynchronous satellite height”, “GEO radius”.
What is the formula for the geostationary orbit height calculation?
Orbit radius from Earth centre (km) = (GCONST × MEARTH × (T × 3600)^2 / (4 × π × π))^(1 / 3) / 1000. Altitude above surface (km) = [Orbit radius from Earth centre]-REARTH / 1000. Here T is orbital period (hours).
What inputs do I need for the geostationary orbit height calculator?
You need orbital period in hours. Each field is pre-filled with a typical example so you can see how the result responds as you edit the numbers.
How do I use the geostationary orbit height calculator?
Type values into the input fields. Results and the chart update instantly. Use Reset to restore the example values, Copy results to paste them elsewhere, or Share to copy a link that preserves your inputs.
Is the geostationary orbit height result exact?
Calculations use standard formulas and double-precision arithmetic, then display about seven significant figures. Real-world measurements carry uncertainty, so treat results as estimates unless your inputs are exact.