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Areosynchronous orbit

Areosynchronous orbits are class of synchronous orbits for artificial satellites around the planet Mars. As with all synchronous orbits, an areosynchronous orbit has an orbital period equal in length to Mars' sidereal day. A satellite in areosynchronous orbit does "not" necessarily maintain a fixed position in the sky as seen by an observer on the surface of Mars, however such a satellite will return to the same apparent position every Martian day.

An areosynchronous orbit that is equatorial (in the same plane as the equator of Mars), circular, and prograde (rotating about Mars' axis in the same direction as the planet's surface) is known as an areostationary orbit (ASO). To an observer on the surface of Mars, the position of a satellite in ASO would appear to be fixed in a constant position in the sky. The ASO is analogous to a geostationary orbit (GSO) about Earth.

Although no satellites currently occupy areosynchronous or areostationary orbits, some scientists foresee a future telecommunications network for the exploration of Mars.

ee also

*Areostationary orbit
*List of orbits

References

External links

* [http://marsnet.jpl.nasa.gov/elements/marsats.html Mars Network - Marsats] - NASA site devoted to future communications infrastructure for Mars exploration

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