Low Earth orbit
Also written: LEO
The orbit around Earth with an altitude between 160 km and 2,000 km, where many satellites and the ISS are located.
Low Earth orbit, or LEO, is the region of space closest to Earth where many satellites and the International Space Station orbit.
Think of it as a highway around our planet. Satellites in LEO travel very fast, completing an orbit in about 90 minutes. This closeness makes communication quicker but also means they move out of view faster than satellites in higher orbits.
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is defined as the region extending from an altitude of 160 kilometers (99 miles) to 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) above Earth's surface. Objects in LEO experience significant atmospheric drag, requiring periodic reboosting to maintain altitude. Its proximity allows for lower communication latency and higher resolution imaging compared to higher orbits, but also necessitates faster tracking and coverage planning.
Recent discussions highlight the intersection of AI and space exploration, particularly concerning astronaut experiences and the future of discovery. This includes how AI can aid in understanding complex environments like low Earth orbit, drawing parallels between human exploration and AI's own developmental frontiers.
- What a NASA astronaut can teach us about discovery and exploration | Christina Koch & James ManyikaGoogle · Google on YouTube ·
- Google Gemini
- Google Gemini's content has touched on space exploration, referencing astronauts and discovery, which implicitly relates to the environments where AI might be applied in future space missions.
- Geostationary orbit
- Satellites in geostationary orbit appear fixed in the sky b
- Medium Earth orbit
- MEO orbits are higher than LEO, typically between 2,000 km a
The term 'Low Earth Orbit' is a standard designation used in astronautics and spaceflight, formalized by international bodies and space agencies.
Use a satellite tracker website or app (like Heavens-Above or N2YO.com) to find out when the International Space Station or a prominent LEO satellite will be visible from your location. Observing their rapid movement across the sky demonstrates the nature of LEO.
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Questions people ask
- What is the main advantage of LEO?
- The main advantage of LEO is its proximity to Earth, which allows for lower communication latency and higher resolution imaging compared to higher orbits.
- What are the disadvantages of LEO?
- Satellites in LEO experience atmospheric drag, requiring reboosting, and their fast movement means ground stations or satellites need to track them constantly for continuous communication.
First seen on Subvolts Sep 14, 2026. Updated Sep 21, 2026. Written by an AI model from the items above and reviewed against them weekly; report an error.