crimmin@tle.DEC (DTN 1-2015) (12/17/85)
Many folks have mentioned geosynchronous orbits of late. May I assume these are stationary geosynchronous orbits? If I recall correctly, all you need is one revolution around the planet in the same time that it takes the planet to spin once. It is not important that the orbiting object remain stationary relative to a given point on the surface of the planet. Given this, an object with a longitudinal orbit (relative to the earth's axis) would appear to have a very odd flight pattern. In some instances, it could seem to draw huge figure eights in the sky. (Due to the combo of earth rotation and object's orbit.) Piter (New Hampshire)