Editing Inclined orbit (section)

=== Geosynchronous orbits ===
{{See also|Geosynchronous orbit}}
A geosynchronous orbit is an inclined orbit with an altitude of {{convert|37,000|km|mi|abbr=on}} that completes one revolution every [[sidereal day]] tracing out a small [[analemma|figure-eight shape]] in the sky.<ref>[https://celestrak.com/columns/v04n07/ Basics of the Geostationary Orbit By Dr. T.S. Kelso]</ref> A [[geostationary orbit]] is a special case of geosynchronous orbit with no inclination, and therefore no apparent movement across the sky from a fixed observation point on the Earth's surface.

Due to their inherent instability, geostationary orbits will eventually become inclined if they are not [[Orbital station-keeping|corrected]] using thrusters. At the end of the satellite's lifetime, when fuel approaches depletion, satellite operators may decide to omit these expensive manoeuvres to correct inclination and only control eccentricity. This prolongs the life-time of the satellite as it consumes less fuel over time, but the satellite can then only be used by ground antennas capable of following the north–south movement, satellite-tracking Earth stations.