The use of Sun-synchronous orbits for a real-time global coverage satellite

Abstract

This article describes a method for determining the parameters of a circular Sun-synchronous orbit and coverage characteristics of a satellite for real-time global coverage. Basic solutions for a single satellite have been obtained in the form of intervals of possible orbital parameters and coverage characteristics depending on a given interruption of observations of any given point on the Earth’s surface. The solutions have been used to choose orbital parameters and estimate coverage characteristics for different combinations of input data.