engleski

The Nodal Regression Simulation for Low Earth Sun Synchronized Orbits

LEO environmental satellites provide continuous coverage of Earth, supplying high-resolution global meteorological and oceanic observation. In addition these satellites are equipped with devices dedicated for search and rescue services. These satellites accomplish their missions mainly based on photo imagery. For photo imagery, it is too important the observed area from the satellite to be treated under the same lighting (illumination) conditions. This could be achieved by keeping a constant Sun position related to the orbital plane due to the Earth’s motion around the Sun, defined as orbital Sun synchronization. Line of nodes defines the orientation of the satellite’s orbital plane in space. Nodal regression refers to the shift of the orbit’s line of nodes over time as Earth revolves around the Sun. The nodal regression is caused because of the Earth’s oblateness. Nodal regression is very useful feature which is especially utilized for low circular orbits providing to them the Sun synchronization. Nodal regression depends on orbital attitude and orbital inclination angle. The nodal regression simulation for different orbital attitudes and then the inclination window calculation for sun synchronization are provided through this paper.

LEO; satellite; inclination; sun-synchronization

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