The Inclination Window for Low Earth Sun Synchronized Satellite Orbits

摘要

LEO (Low Earth Orbit) environmental satellites providecontinuous coverage of Earth, supplying meteorological andoceanic observation data which are important in aerospace andmaritime. The missions of such satellites are mainly based onphoto imagery. For photo imagery, it is also important that thearea observed from the satellite is treated under the same lightingconditions. This can be achieved by keeping the orbital planeposition constant relative to the Sun due to the Earth’s motionaround the Sun, defined as orbital Sun synchronization. The lineof nodes defines the orientation of the satellite’s orbital planein space. Nodal regression is defined as the shift of the orbit’sline of nodes over time, as Earth revolves around the Sun. Nodalregression is caused by the Earth’s oblateness. Nodal regressionis a very useful feature, especially used to synchronize low Earthcircular orbits with the Sun. Nodal regression depends on orbitalattitude and orbital inclination angle. This paper provides aninclination window calculation for different attitudes in order tomaintain orbital Sun synchronization.