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Q. Where are the communications satellites?

A. Most communications satellites are in a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) which is generally defined as an orbit within the locus extending from the Earth’s surface up to an altitude of 2,000 km. Most satellites placed in LEO travel at about 27,400 km/h (8 km/s). The Globalstar constellation of communications satellites consists of 48 satellites on 8 planes (with 8 spares in orbit). The inclination of these planes is 52° w.r.t. the equator. These satellites orbit approximately 1414 km above the earth’s surface, in an approximate orbital radius of 7792 km. This provides each satellite “visibility” time of approximately 16.4 minutes, and an orbital period of 114 minutes. The transmission power of each satellite can run as high as 1000-1100 watts.