The Berean
Well-known member
Please explain to me the orbital mechanics of a flat Earth? A satellite orbits around the Earth at a geosynchronous distance. That is about 23,000 miles above the Earth's surface. The reason it does this is because at that distance the satellite's orbital velocity matches the rotational velocity of the Earth. This allows the satellite to orbit over the same area of the Earth to provide continuous satellite coverage for that area. Satellites have life spans of about 15 years and they carry very little fuel on board. Most of the fuel is for minute corrections to orientation. Also, satellites have solar panels to absorb energy from the sun. This energy is stored in batteries for use when the satellite is behind the Earth in the shadow and not exposed to the sun. If the Earth was flat the satellite would always be exposed to the sun and would not need batteries. Also, satellites have sensors called Earth sensors that help keep the satellite pointed in the right direction. The Earth Sensors track the CURVATURE of the Earth to determine a satellite's orientation.Why wouldn't they "work" on a flat earth? They ARE spaced apart are they not? Can you answer the question of whether one could fly from the north pole (top of the ball) to the south (bottom of the ball), continue, and come back up the other side to the north pole again?
And, yes, satellite can and do have polar orbits as well.