Continuous Coverage of the North Polar Region with Only Two Communications Satellites

摘要

The problem of providing continuous coverage of the north polar region with a small number of communications satellites is considered. The system described requires only two satellites to provide both this coverage and coverage of a considerable fraction of the northern hemisphere. Two orbit planes with 63.43 deg inclination, high eccentricity and 24 hour periods are employed. The regions of the earth from which a satellite is continuously visible from terminals with various minimum elevation angles are shown. The regions in which mutual visibility of a satellite by two terminals is guaranteed are shown. A few comments concerning satellite design for this orbit are included. (Author)