Geostationary satellites are directly overhead at the equator and appear lower in the sky to an observer nearer the poles. As the observer's latitude increases, communication becomes more difficult due to factors such as atmospheric refraction, Earth's thermal emission, line-of-sight obstructions, and signal reflections from the ground or nearby structures. At latitudes above about 81°, geostationary satellites are below the horizon and cannot be seen at all. Because of this, some Russian communication satellites have used elliptical Molniya and Tundra orbits, which have excellent visibility at high latitudes.
Geostationary satellites are directly overhead at the equator and appear lower in the sky to an observer nearer the poles As the observer's latitude increases communication becomes more difficult due to factors such as atmospheric refraction Earth's thermal emission line-of-sight obstructions and signal reflections from the ground or nearby structures At latitudes above about 81° geostationary satellites are below the horizon and cannot be seen at all Because of this some Russian communication satellites have used elliptical Molniya and Tundra orbits which have excellent visibility at high latitudes