Which orbit is also known as Molniya orbit?
These satellites used highly eccentric elliptical orbits known as Molniya orbits, which have a long dwell time over high latitudes. They are suited for communications purposes in polar regions, in the same way that geostationary satellites are used for equatorial regions.
Is a Molniya orbit circular?
The Molniya orbit is a highly elliptical orbit that possesses an inclination of 63.4 degrees, an argument of perigee of 270 degrees and an orbital period of approximately half a sidereal day.
Is Molniya orbit Sun synchronous?
Like a semi-synchronous orbit, a satellite in the Molniya orbit passes over the same path every 24 hours. This type of orbit is useful for communications in the far north or south.
Is the Molniya orbit geosynchronous?
A molniya orbit is used when the needed ground area is above the latitude of that practical for geosynchronous satellites to communicate with. The orbit is chosen because the satellite will appear to “hover” in a section of the sky during a few hours of the day.
What is Molniya orbit Upsc?
The Molniya orbit combines high inclination (63.4°) with high eccentricity (0.722) to maximize viewing time over high latitudes. Each orbit lasts 12 hours, so the slow, high-altitude portion of the orbit repeats over the same location every day and night.
What is apogee and perigee of Molniya orbit?
The exact height of a satellite in a Molniya orbit varies between missions, but a typical orbit will have a perigee of approximately 600 kilometres (370 mi) and an apogee of 39,700 kilometres (24,700 mi), for a semi-major axis of 26,600 kilometres (16,500 mi).
What is polar Sun-synchronous orbit?
Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) is a particular kind of polar orbit. Satellites in SSO, travelling over the polar regions, are synchronous with the Sun. This means they are synchronised to always be in the same ‘fixed’ position relative to the Sun.
Why is Molniya orbit used?
Satellites placed in Molniya orbits have been used for television broadcasting, telecommunications, military communications, relaying, weather monitoring, early warning systems and some classified purposes.
What is the objective of Molniya orbit?
A Molniya orbit (Russian: Молния, IPA: [ˈmolnʲɪjə] ( listen), “Lightning”) is a type of satellite orbit designed to provide communications and remote sensing coverage over high latitudes.
Is geosynchronous orbit elliptical?
Many objects in geosynchronous orbits have eccentric and/or inclined orbits. Eccentricity makes the orbit elliptical and appear to oscillate E-W in the sky from the viewpoint of a ground station, while inclination tilts the orbit compared to the equator and makes it appear to oscillate N-S from a groundstation.
Is polar orbit geosynchronous?
A polar orbit can be geosynchronous and always follow the same path, but that path cannot be straight along a meridian. If the orbit passes on top of both poles, then the orbit lies on a plane containing both poles, which cuts the earth longitudinally like two opposite meridians do.
What is meant by geosynchronous orbit?
A geosynchronous orbit is a high Earth orbit that allows satellites to match Earth’s rotation. Located at 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometers) above Earth’s equator, this position is a valuable spot for monitoring weather, communications and surveillance.
What is known as burial orbit?
an earth orbit into which communications satellites may be moved at the end of their operational lives, where there is no risk of their interference or collision with working satellites in their normal orbits. Also called: graveyard orbit.
How do you find a geosynchronous orbit?
To find out, equate the force of gravity at a certain earth-satellite distance to the centripetal force needed to keep it in orbit with a 24-hour period. Notice that the mass of the satellite is on both sides of the equation and cancels out.
What is a drift orbit?
A successful apogee manoeuvre places the satellite in a near-geosynchronous orbit, also known as a drift orbit owing to the slow drift of the satellite in longitude. The main mission events during the drift orbit phase are attitude acquisition, station acquisition, and initialisation.