Question
What is a LEO satellite?
Answer Options
- A) A sun synchronous satellite
- B) A highly elliptical orbit satellite
- C) A satellite in low energy operation mode
- D) A satellite in low earth orbit
Correct Answer: D
Explanation
The abbreviation LEO stands for Low Earth Orbit. A LEO satellite is any satellite that operates in an orbit relatively close to Earth, typically between 160\text{ km} and 2,000\text{ km} in altitude.
Amateur radio satellites are typically LEO satellites because they are relatively easy to launch and require less power to communicate with from the ground. However, because they are close to Earth, they move very quickly across the sky, meaning they are only visible for short time windows (passes) and exhibit significant Doppler shift (T8B07).
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