A geosynchronous satellite is

Options

A. located at a height of 34860 km to ensure global coverage
B. appears stationary over a place on earth's magnetic pole
C. not really stationary at all, but orbits the earth within 24 hours
D. always at a fixed location in state and simply spins about its own axis.

Answer

To solve the question regarding geosynchronous satellites, let's analyze each option step by step.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Geosynchronous Satellites**:
- A geosynchronous satellite is one that has an orbital period equal to the Earth's rotation period, which is approximately 24 hours. This means that the satellite takes 24 hours to complete one orbit around the Earth.

2. **Analyzing the Options**:
- **Option A**: "Located at the height of 34,860 km to ensure global coverage."
- This statement is partially true. A geosynchronous satellite is indeed located at a height of approximately 34,860 km above the Earth's surface. However, the purpose of this height is not solely to ensure global coverage; it is to match the Earth's rotational period. For global coverage, multiple satellites are needed.

- **Option B**: "Appears stationary over a place on Earth's magnetic pole."
- This statement is incorrect. A geosynchronous satellite appears stationary over a specific point on the equator, not over the poles. Satellites that appear stationary over a point on the Earth's surface are called geostationary satellites, which are a subset of geosynchronous satellites.

- **Option C**: "Not really stationary at all but orbits the Earth within 24 hours."
- This statement is correct. A geosynchronous satellite orbits the Earth in 24 hours, but it is not stationary in the sense that it moves in its orbit. It may appear to oscillate from a fixed point on the surface, but it is not truly stationary.

- **Option D**: "Always at a fixed location in space and simply spins about its own axis."
- This statement is incorrect. A geosynchronous satellite is not at a fixed location in space; it orbits the Earth. The satellite may spin about its own axis, but its primary motion is its orbit around the Earth.

3. **Conclusion**:
- The correct answer is **Option C**: "Not really stationary at all but orbits the Earth within 24 hours."