Satellite Time Dilation Earth

This effect is only nanoseconds in size near the earth.

Satellite time dilation earth.

The net effect is that the satellite clock is actually faster by 38 microseconds per day. If not kept in check the satellites would basically travel to the future technically. But for a gps another form of time dilation is also in effect because the fact that the satellite is in motion. The proper term for this is time dilation.

Time dilation explains why two working clocks will report different times after different accelerations. For gps satellites to work they must adjust for similar bending of spacetime to coordinate properly with systems on earth. Just a little slower. However since the earth s gravitational pull is much stronge.

The special relativity induced time dilation due to the relative velocity of the satellite and the decrease in gravitationally induced time dilation described by general relativity due to the increased height above earth. The special theory of relativity predicts time dilation. It is possible to observe the combined effect of general and special relativity on an atomic clock on board a gps satellite. Let s focus on navigational satellites popularly but incorrectly referred to as gps.

A clock on a fast flying satellite appears to run slower when observed from a stationary position on earth. Since the satellite is moving faster than the earth for every day on earth the clock on the satellite shows one day minus 7 microseconds due to time dilation due to special relativity.