Review article
https://doi.org/10.7225/toms.v02.n01.002
The Inclination Window for Low Earth Sun Synchronized Satellite Orbits
Shkelzen Cakaj
orcid.org/0000-0002-6683-9998
; Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Prishtina, Kosovo
Bexhet Kamo
orcid.org/0000-0003-4213-1183
; Faculty of Information Technology, Polytechnic University of Tirana, Albania
Krešimir Malarić
orcid.org/0000-0002-1255-6415
; Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, Zagreb University, Croatia
Abstract
LEO (Low Earth Orbit) environmental satellites provide
continuous coverage of Earth, supplying meteorological and
oceanic observation data which are important in aerospace and
maritime. The missions of such satellites are mainly based on
photo imagery. For photo imagery, it is also important that the
area observed from the satellite is treated under the same lighting
conditions. This can be achieved by keeping the orbital plane
position constant relative to the Sun due to the Earth’s motion
around the Sun, defined as orbital Sun synchronization. The line
of nodes defines the orientation of the satellite’s orbital plane
in space. Nodal regression is defined as the shift of the orbit’s
line of nodes over time, as Earth revolves around the Sun. Nodal
regression is caused by the Earth’s oblateness. Nodal regression
is a very useful feature, especially used to synchronize low Earth
circular orbits with the Sun. Nodal regression depends on orbital
attitude and orbital inclination angle. This paper provides an
inclination window calculation for different attitudes in order to
maintain orbital Sun synchronization.
Keywords
LEO; Satellite; Inclination; Sun-synchronization
Hrčak ID:
100522
URI
Publication date:
20.4.2013.
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