2.2 | Medium Earth Orbit and GPS | Rocket Science for Everyone with Yale’s Marla Geha

Ever wondered how your phone knows exactly where you are, even in the middle of nowhere? In this lesson, we delve into the world of Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), a fascinating region of space located between 2,000 and 35,000 km above Earth. While far fewer satellites reside here compared to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), MEO is the critical home for Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites, despite the challenges posed by the treacherous Van Allen Belts. Discover why these navigation powerhouses orbit at 20,000 km, how they use precise timing and triangulation to pinpoint your location, and the global reliance on this vital technology.🎯 Learning Objectives• Identify the characteristics and challenges of Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), including the role of the Van Allen Belts.• Explain why MEO is the optimal orbit for Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites.• Describe the core mechanism by which GPS satellites determine a user's location through precise timing and triangulation.• Recognize the global importance and widespread applications of GPS technology.• Name other international satellite navigation systems beyond GPS.📚 About the CourseThis course is an intuitive introduction to rocket science in our everyday lives.Modern life increasingly depends on technology provided by Earth-orbiting satellites, from detailed weather predictions to broad-band internet and GPS. How are satellites launched into orbit and how do they work once they get there? Why are rockets used to get into orbit and how are they different from airplanes? This introductory course is aimed at a wide non-technical audience and is appropriate for all ages. 📺 Watch the full playlist on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh9mgdi4rNexC1fSWLlpQx_Gjj_0DhjVE 🎓 Enroll on Coursera for assessments and a certificate: https://www.coursera.org/learn/rocket-science-for-everyone 🌐 Explore more learning opportunities on Yale Online: https://online.yale.edu/courses/rocket-science-everyone #RocketScienceForEveryone #YaleOnline #MEOSatellites #GPS #SpaceScience #STEMEducation #LearnOnline Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices