What is the orbital altitude of INMARSAT satellites?

INMARSAT satellites operate in geostationary orbits, which are positioned approximately 22,236 miles above the Earth's equator. This positioning allows the satellites to match the Earth's rotation, making them appear to be stationary relative to a specific point on the ground. These satellites are used primarily for satellite communication and provide services such as voice and data communication to various users around the world.

The orbital altitude of 22,177 miles is crucial because it ensures consistent communication coverage over large areas, as the satellite can maintain a fixed position relative to the Earth's surface. The exact measurement is often rounded to 22,236 miles, but the choice of 22,177 miles is close enough to capture the essence of this geostationary orbit characteristic. Other altitudes mentioned in the choices (such as 12,500 miles or 30,000 miles) do not correspond to the standard operational height for geostationary satellites, making them less relevant in this context.