[Porsche-O-Phile]

Geosynchronous orbit is about 23,000 miles. Low earth orbit is 200-300 (ISS / shuttle program range). It’s a lot easier (and cheaper) to get something to LEO for one thing. For another the extra distance can be a factor in communications range depending on frequencies used, etc. Sometimes LEO makes a lot more sense. I think the iridium constellation put their satellites in very low orbits (like 200 miles) otherwise there’s no way that earth-based handheld transmitters (sat phones) would ever reach them. Of course this meant they were whizzing by quickly and it took a lot more of them to ensure continuous coverage - hence the “constellation” model.