geostationaryadj.
/ˌdʒiːə(ʊ)ˈsteɪʃn̩(ə)ri/, /dʒɪəˈsteɪʃn̩(ə)ri/, U.S. /ˌdʒioʊˈsteɪʃənɛri/ Of an artificial satellite: appearing to remain stationary in the sky above a fixed point on the earth's surface (as a result of orbiting the earth in the plane of the equator once each day). Also: designating such an orbit; of or relating to such a satellite or orbit. Cf. earlier stationary adj. 1g, and geosynchronous adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > planet > primary planet > secondary planet, satellite > [adjective] > geostationary
stationary1947
geostationary1960
geosynchronous1967
1960 Jrnl. Geophysical Res. 65 2025 (title) The use of geostationary satellites for the study of ionospheric electron content and ionospheric radio-wave propagation.
1961 Aeroplane 101 16/2 Raising a communication satellite from a low-circular orbit into a geostationary orbit at 22,300 miles.
1968 New Statesman 13 Dec. 828/1 The existence of geo-stationary satellites and the enormous investment in world-wide communications will increase the flow of information and disseminate it on a scale that almost defies the imagination.
1995 Denver Post 27 May c1/5 The agency maintains four satellites (two in polar orbit and one in ‘geostationary’ position over each coast).
2005 P. R. Keefe Chatter i. 21 Aboard the truck was a geostationary satellite—a piece of spy technology that was to revolutionize the manner in which the United States gathered signals.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2012; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1960