EARTH COVERAGE BY SATELLITE CONFIGURATIONS,

Abstract

The fundamental equations of orbital mechanics are stated, from which interrelationships among satellite altitude, speed, period, kinetic energy, potential energy, and field of view are derived analytically and depicted graphically. Attention is focused upon the northern hemisphere, and equations are derived which express the percentage of time that a satellite will view simultaneously all points north of a given latitude. Grazing incidence is assumed for mathematical convenience. Conclusions are drawn regarding the number of satellites required, as a function of altitude, to insure complete coverage of a polar cap or specific portion thereof, by one, two, or three orbital planes. Some consideration is given to orbital stability. It is demonstrated that the coverage afforded by elliptical orbits at critical inclination is superior to that provided by circular polar orbits. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1964
Accession Number
AD0433606

Entities

People

  • Lawrence Norwood

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Altitude
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Elliptical Orbits
  • Energy
  • Equations
  • Grids
  • Kinetic Energy
  • Latitude
  • Mechanics
  • Northern Hemisphere
  • Orbital Mechanics
  • Orbits
  • Polar Cap
  • Polar Orbits
  • Potential Energy

Readers

  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris
  • Space - Satellites