Satellite feature

GEO( satellite

MEO satellite

LEO satellite

Full form

Geostationary Earth Orbit satellite

Medium Earth Orbit Satellite

Low Earth Orbit Satellite

Orbital period

24 hours

2 to 8 hours

10 to 40 minutes

Satellite height

35,800 km

5000 to 12000 km

500 to 1500 km

Satellite life

Long

Long

Short

Propagation loss

Highest

high

least

Number of satellites

3

8 to 20

40 to 80

Advantages

Covers large geographical area, Only three GEO satellites are needed to cover earth.
Visible for 24 hours from fixed location on earth
Ideal for satellite broadcast and multipoint communication

With MEO satellite lesser number of satellite network required compared to LEO satellite to cover the area.
Lesser time delay in the signal compared to GEO satellite

LEO satellite provides better signal strength.
Least signal propagation delay since it is closest to earth.

Disadvantages

Considerable time delay in the signal, which is not favourable for point to point communication.
Since it is above the equator, it faces difficulty in broadcasting near polar region.

Weaker signal compared to LEO since it is higher orbit than LEO
Visible for only 2 to 8 hours from a particular location on earth.

A very large number of satellites network is required, thus it is very costly
Atmospheric drag effects are more which cause gradual orbital disorientation
only visible for 15 to 20 minutes from a particular area.