How Fast Do Satellites Travel?

Satellites orbiting the Earth move at remarkable speeds, traversing vast distances in a relatively short amount of time. The velocity of a satellite depends on its orbital altitude and the type of orbit it follows.

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, which orbit closest to the Earth’s surface at altitudes ranging from about 160 kilometers (100 miles) to 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles), travel at speeds averaging around 28,000 kilometers per hour (17,500 miles per hour). These satellites complete an orbit around the Earth approximately every 90 minutes.

Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites are positioned at altitudes ranging from 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles) to 35,786 kilometers (22,236 miles). Satellites in MEO typically travel at speeds ranging from 10,000 to 15,000 kilometers per hour (6,200 to 9,300 miles per hour), depending on their specific orbital parameters.

Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites are stationed at an altitude of approximately 35,786 kilometers (22,236 miles) above the Earth’s equator. Satellites in GEO orbit the Earth at the same rate as the Earth’s rotation, allowing them to remain fixed relative to a specific point on the Earth’s surface. As a result, GEO satellites have an orbital velocity of approximately 11,000 kilometers per hour (6,800 miles per hour).

The speed of satellites is critical for maintaining their orbits and fulfilling their intended functions, such as communication, navigation, weather monitoring, and Earth observation. Engineers and scientists carefully calculate and monitor the orbital parameters of satellites to ensure their precise positioning and operational effectiveness.

In summary, the speed of satellites varies depending on their orbital altitude and type of orbit. Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites travel at speeds around 28,000 kilometers per hour, while Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites travel at slower velocities relative to their respective orbital altitudes.