Accession Number:

AD0698751

Title:

CONTINUOUS COVERAGE OF THE NORTH POLAR REGION WITH ONLY TWO COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITES

Descriptive Note:

Technical note

Corporate Author:

MASSACHUSETTS INST OF TECH LEXINGTON LINCOLN LAB

Personal Author(s):

• Beusch, John U.

Report Date:

1969-09-04

Pagination or Media Count:

22.0

Abstract:

The problem of providing continuous coverage of the north polar region with a small number of communications satellites is considered. The system described requires only two satellites to provide both this coverage and coverage of a considerable fraction of the northern hemisphere. Two orbit planes with 63.43 deg inclination, high eccentricity and 24 hour periods are employed. The regions of the earth from which a satellite is continuously visible from terminals with various minimum elevation angles are shown. The regions in which mutual visibility of a satellite by two terminals is guaranteed are shown. A few comments concerning satellite design for this orbit are included.

Descriptors:

• *SPACE COMMUNICATIONS
• *ARCTIC REGIONS
• ELLIPTICAL ORBIT TRAJECTORIES
• SYNCHRONOUS SATELLITES
• VISIBILITY
• INCLINED ORBIT TRAJECTORIES

Subject Categories:

• Spacecraft Trajectories and Reentry
• Radio Communications

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE