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Elliptical Sun-Synchronous Orbits with Line of Apsides Lying in or Near the Equatorial Plane

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Abstract

This paper explores the characteristics of retrograde, Sun-synchronous elliptic orbits with line of apsides lying in or near the equatorial plane. Coverage plots for a five-satellite ring showing the number of satellites in view and elevation angle data versus latitude and local time are presented. Stability of the orbit is discussed. Also analyzed is the effect of the trapped radiation field environment (Van Allen belts) on these orbits, as well as the exposure to damage by natural and man-made debris. A major advantage seen for these orbits is that they can be used to provide augmented Earth coverage for a selected latitudinal zone and a selected time of day (for all longitudes). This feature should prove useful for non-geostationary satellite communications systems where increased capacity is needed during daytime peak-traffic hours in heavily populated latitude bands.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Constellation Design & Launch Vehicles, Ellipso, Inc. Captain, U.S. Navy, Vienna, VA, USA

    John E. Draim (Director)

  2. The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, MIT, USA

    Paul J. Cefola (Program Manager for Astrodynamic Applications)

  3. The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, USA

    Ronald J. Proulx (Principal Member, Technical Staff) & Duane Larsen (Principal Member, Technical Staff)

  4. 2nd Lieutenant, United States Air Force, Graduate Student in Aeronautics and Astronautics, MIT, Draper Fellow, The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, USA

    George Granholm

Authors
  1. John E. Draim
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  2. Paul J. Cefola
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  3. Ronald J. Proulx
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  4. Duane Larsen
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  5. George Granholm
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Additional information

In 1997, Mobile Communications Holdings, Incorporated (MCHI), received a license from the FCC to launch and operate the 16-satellite Ellipso “Big-LEO” system for mobile two-way voice and data communications. This paper was originally presented at the 1999 AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference held in Girdwood, Alaska and gives some of the research results developed under the Ellipso program. In June 2003, the FCC declared that MCHI’s Big LEO license was null and void (FCC Memorandum and Order 03-122).

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Draim, J.E., Cefola, P.J., Proulx, R.J. et al. Elliptical Sun-Synchronous Orbits with Line of Apsides Lying in or Near the Equatorial Plane. J of Astronaut Sci 51, 143–178 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03546306

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03546306

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