Why aircraft carriers won't make sense in space

[August]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

There has to be another name for it, though. "Geostationary" literally means "staying in the same place above the planet".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geostationary_orbit


That's incorrect. A geostationary orbit turns with the planet, thus experiencing the same day/night shift. Heading in the opposite direction at the same speed you will still orbit the Earth once every 24 hours, and experience the same shift.

To remain on the day or night side of the planet you would have to be standing still, not orbiting at all.

I see what you mean. So if I want to stay on the night side of a planet I guess all I have to do is counteract the pull of gravity. Since centrifugal force won't help as you point out then you'd have to maintain a constant thrust against it which would also be hidden by the planet.