The first satellites were non-synchronous satellites in low-Earth orbit. They were easy to orbit and close enough to Earth to act as passive radio relays. However, because non-synchronous satellites move with respect to the Earth, they can only establish communications for a few minutes during each pass.
There are three ways to establish permanent links:

• Elliptical orbits. These are highly elongated orbits in which the apogee (40,000 km) is directly above the ground station, thus providing a useful coverage period ;
• Constellations, made up of a large number of non-synchronous satellites, which together provide permanent links and global coverage ;
• Geostationary orbits. These are circular orbits in which the position of the satellite is fixed with respect to Earth. This is the cheapest and most effective solution. A satellite orbiting at an altitude of 35,786 kilometres above the equator has a period of revolution around the Earth the same as the Earth's period of rotation, so it’s ground track is a point on the equator. Three geostationary satellites, correctly positioned, can cover the entire surface of the globe between the latitudes of +80° and –80°.

^{The Clarke Belt, which contains all telecommunications satellites in geostationary orbit.
Since 1957, telecommunications satellites have been placed in geostationary orbit. Despite its circumference of 264,000 kilometres, the Clarke Belt must be regularly cleared of spent satellites to avoid congestion and interference.}

Most telecommunications satellites currently in orbit are geostationary. Constellations of non-synchronous satellites are essential for specific applications such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), which requires coverage of all points on the surface of the globe by several satellites at the same time.