Ah, you see, we calculate it by equating the centripetal force to the gravitational force, which stems from Kepler's laws. The exact height comes from the formula for the orbital period matching one sidereal day. It gives that neat figure of about 35,786 km from Earth's centre, leaving roughly 36,000 km from the surface.
But from my small telescope in this Assam night, the theory feels different. That satellite is a steady, patient point among the rushing stars, a 'bhal' friend who keeps its watch. My own knees ache from standing, and I think how wonderful it is for something to hold its place so perfectly, without any strain at all.
#random#life
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