 FAIR: A geostationary equatorial orbit would be the worst choice  among commonly used orbits for a weapons platform. The satellite  always remains over one point on the Earth, and the weapon would  have to travel at least 22,000 miles after firing, providing more  time for it to be detected. A low polar orbit would provide a much  shorter travel time for the weapon, would pass over all parts of the  Earths surface twice a day, and would also have been easier to  reach from the USSR. Which is exactly why the Soviets, wanting to  put a weapons platform *secretly* on a satellite, might choose one  intended for a geostationary equatorial orbit rather than a low  polar orbit.