Synchronous Orbit - Nomenclature

Nomenclature

Like many orbital terms synchronous orbits take on special names depending on the body being orbited. The following are some of the more common names. A synchronous orbit about the Earth that is circular and lies in the equatorial plane is called a geostationary orbit. The more general case, when the orbit is inclined to the Earth's equator or is non-circular is called a geosynchronous orbit. The corresponding terms for synchronous orbits around the planet Mars are areostationary and areosynchronous orbits.