Satellite Orbits and Uses NIS

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Slide 10

Basics of GEOs

Geostationary satellites are commonly used for communications and weather-observation.

The typical service life expectancy of a geostationary satellite is 10-15 years.

Because geostationary satellites circle the earth at the equator, they are not able to provide coverage at the Northernmost and Southernmost latitudes.

Slide 11

Information on Geostationary Satellites

For a satellite to be in a particular orbit, a particular velocity is required or a given height above Earth ‘r0+h’.

Telecommunications satellites remain above one given point on the Earth’s surface, so are called geostationary

broadcast television, forecast the weather.

Spy Satellites move in a polar orbit so that they can perform sweeps of the surface.

spy on enemy forces

Slide 12

Summary of satellite orbits

Located along the equatorial plane.

About 36000 km above the earth

Has Geo-synchronous orbit

Period of 1436 minutes

Good coverage from remote areas

Has wide field of view ~ 50 degrees

Has low resolution

Provides continuous data ~ 15-30 min.

Not very suitable for vertical soundings

Near polar orbiting

800 to 900 km above the earth

Has Sun-synchronous orbit

Period of 101 minutes

Excellent coverage at the poles

Has relatively narrow field of view

Has high resolution

Passes vary with latitude

Very suitable for vertical soundings

GEO = Geosynchronous

LEO = Polar

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Slide 13

Some Satellites in Orbit

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Slide 14

Geostationary Orbit Communications satellites orbit

These satellites are 36000 km above the surface and have R= 42,000km.

These satellites are positioned to orbit at rate of earths rotation and are always above the same part of the earth.

Used for TV broadcasts and mobile phones

Slide 15

Goes and poes

Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite geo-synchronous orbit 35,800 km above the earth

Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite sun-synchronous orbit 850 km above the earth

Slide 16

The GOES Spacecraft

GOES-8 Spacecraft

GOES I-M DataBook

Slide 17

GOES I-M DataBook

GOES

Slide 18

Goes Imager Products