Satellites orbit at a wide range of altitudes, depending on their purpose. Here's a breakdown:

Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

* Altitude: 160-2,000 kilometers (100-1,243 miles)

* Examples: International Space Station, many Earth observation satellites, some communication satellites

* Characteristics:

* Relatively short orbital periods (90 minutes to 2 hours)

* Lower latency for communication

* Easier to reach with spacecraft, making maintenance and upgrades easier

* More atmospheric drag, requiring frequent orbital adjustments

Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)

* Altitude: 2,000-35,786 kilometers (1,243-22,236 miles)

* Examples: GPS satellites, Galileo satellites, some communication satellites

* Characteristics:

* Longer orbital periods (12 hours or more)

* Good for navigation and timing purposes

* Less atmospheric drag than LEO

Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO)

* Altitude: 35,786 kilometers (22,236 miles)

* Examples: Many communication satellites, weather satellites

* Characteristics:

* Orbital period matches Earth's rotation (24 hours)

* Appears stationary from Earth's surface

* Excellent for broadcasting and communication

High Earth Orbit (HEO)

* Altitude: Above 35,786 kilometers (22,236 miles)

* Examples: Some scientific satellites, some communication satellites

* Characteristics:

* Very long orbital periods (days or weeks)

* Very low atmospheric drag

* Used for long-distance communication and scientific research

Other Considerations:

* Inclination: The angle of a satellite's orbit relative to the equator.

* Eccentricity: The shape of the orbit, ranging from perfectly circular to highly elliptical.

The specific altitude of a satellite is determined by its mission requirements and the technology used.