Heliosynchronism and phasing. Application to the SPOT orbit
Abstract
The advantages of heliosynchronous, phased orbits for remote sensing satellites such as SPOT are recalled; the evolution of a heliosynchronous phased orbit is outlined; and routine SPOT orbital maneuvers are described. A heliosynchronous orbit permits optimal use of solar panels, and assures that lighting conditions and other diurnally varying parameters are similar at each passage. Phasing enables successive images of a scene to be made at the same viewing angle. Methods to calculate heliosynchronism and phasing are shown.
- Publication:
-
Satellite Motion: Lectures and Exercices on Space Mech.
- Pub Date:
- 1984
- Bibcode:
- 1984smle.nasa..643D
- Keywords:
-
- Minimum Variance Orbit Determination;
- Satellite Orbits;
- Solar Orbits;
- Spot (French Satellite);
- Orbital Elements;
- Orbital Maneuvers;
- Remote Sensing;
- Astrodynamics