Low Earth orbit is described as which combination?

Low Earth orbit is described as which combination?

• A. Circular and close to Earth
• B. Geosynchronous and circular
• C. Elliptical and close to Earth
• D. Elliptical and far from Earth

Answer: (A)

Low Earth orbit means staying close to Earth's surface, at relatively low altitudes—roughly a few hundred up to about 2,000 kilometers. At these heights, gravity is strong and even thin air causes drag, which tends to smooth out the orbit into a nearly circular path. Because of that proximity and the tendency toward a stable, rounder path, LEO is best described as circular and close to Earth. The other descriptions describe orbits that are either much higher (geosynchronous orbits sit far above Earth and have a 24-hour period) or assume an elongated shape, which isn’t the typical match for the common LEO case.

Low Earth orbit means staying close to Earth's surface, at relatively low altitudes—roughly a few hundred up to about 2,000 kilometers. At these heights, gravity is strong and even thin air causes drag, which tends to smooth out the orbit into a nearly circular path. Because of that proximity and the tendency toward a stable, rounder path, LEO is best described as circular and close to Earth. The other descriptions describe orbits that are either much higher (geosynchronous orbits sit far above Earth and have a 24-hour period) or assume an elongated shape, which isn’t the typical match for the common LEO case.