Areosynchronous orbit
Areosynchronous orbits are a class of synchronous orbits for artificial satellites around the planet Mars. As with all synchronous orbits, an areosynchronous orbit has an orbital period equal in length to the primary's sidereal day. A satellite in areosynchronous orbit does not necessarily maintain a fixed position in the sky as seen by an observer on the surface of Mars; however, such a satellite will return to the same apparent position every Martian day.
The orbital altitude required to maintain an areosynchonous orbit is approximately. If a satellite in areosynchonous orbit were to be used as a communication relay link, it "would experience communications ranges of " to various points on the visible Martian surface.
An areosynchronous orbit that is equatorial , circular, and prograde is known as an areostationary orbit. To an observer on the surface of Mars, the position of a satellite in AEO would appear to be fixed in a constant position in the sky. The AEO is analogous to a geostationary orbit about Earth.
Although no satellites currently occupy areosynchronous or areostationary orbits, some scientists foresee a future telecommunications network for the exploration of Mars.
