An areostationary orbit (abbreviated ASO) is a circular areo­synchronous orbit in the Martian equatorial plane 11,000 km above the surface, any point on which revolves about the Mars in the same direction and with the same period as the Martian surface. Although no artificial satellites have been placed so far in this orbit, it is of interest to some scientists forseeing a future tele­communications network for the exploration of Mars. Areo­stationary orbit is a concept similar to Earth's geo­stationary orbit.

Derivation

See also

• Areostationary satellite
• Areosynchronous orbit
• Areosynchronous satellite
• Geostationary orbit

External links

• Mars Network - Marsats - NASA site devoted to future communications infrastructure for Mars exploration
• Bandwidth available from an areostationary satellite