Orbit selection considerations for earth observatory satellites

Abstract

All the possible circular sun-synchronous orbits for earth observatory satellites are displayed, which have orbital altitudes between 740 and 1,115 kilometers (approximately 400 to 600 nautical miles) and have either a 16, 17, or 18 day repeat cycle for the ground trace. It was found that there are 9 orbits with a 16 day repeat cycle, 17 orbits with a 17 day repeat cycle, and 7 orbits with an 18 day repeat cycle meeting the requirements. For each of these, various characteristics such as ideal ground trace patterns, swathing patterns, and daily drift are displayed. The solar elevation angle along the orbit and the change in the solar elevation angle with season are given. This presentation of general orbital characteristics has application to finding approximate orbital elements and selecting orbits for many types of earth sensing satellite missions.