What is the characteristic of a geosynchronous orbit?

A geosynchronous orbit is characterized by a satellite maintaining a consistent position relative to a point on Earth's surface, essentially appearing to "hover" over the same location. This is achieved when the satellite's orbital period matches the Earth's rotation period, which is approximately 24 hours. Therefore, option B accurately describes this characteristic, indicating that a satellite in geosynchronous orbit returns to the same geographical position at the same time each day.

The other options describe features that are either incorrect or not unique to geosynchronous orbits. For instance, stating that a satellite orbits every 12 hours misrepresents the nature of a geosynchronous orbit, which requires a full synchronization with a 24-hour rotation. A geosynchronous orbit is also circular (typically) rather than elliptical, which is essential to maintaining a consistent position over the Earth. Lastly, while many communication satellites are placed in geostationary orbits (a specific type of geosynchronous orbit), it is incorrect to claim that this is the sole type of orbit used for such purposes, as there are various other orbits utilized for communication satellites.