Do All Man-Made Solar Satellites Share the Same Orbit Orientation?

In summary, man-made solar satellites have different orientations of orbit around the sun depending on their specific scientific objectives, with some being in halo orbits around the Sun Earth Lagrange 1 point and others having inclinations near 90 degrees, such as Ulysses which was sent to look at the north pole. These orientations are carefully designed to meet the satellite's scientific goals.
  • #1
meemoe_uk
125
0
Do man-made solar satellites all have roughly the same orientation of orbit around the sun?
 
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  • #2
I don't know of many, and no...

SOHO is in a halo orbit about the Sun Earth Lagrange 1 point. I seem to recall one satellite which was sent up over the Sun to look at the north pole with an inclination near 90 degrees.
 
  • #3
enigma is perhaps referring to Ulysses.

In general, satellites launched into orbits other than round the Earth (or to land on, or go into orbit around, a specific planet; or leave the solar system altogether), have their orbits designed to match the scientific objectives for which they were created.
 

1. What is the purpose of satellite direction?

Satellite direction is used to determine the position and orientation of a satellite in space. This information is crucial for communication and navigation purposes.

2. How is satellite direction measured?

Satellite direction is typically measured using a combination of GPS, gyroscopes, and star trackers. These instruments provide data on the satellite's position, velocity, and attitude.

3. Can satellite direction be changed?

Yes, satellite direction can be changed through the use of thrusters or reaction wheels. These mechanisms allow for small adjustments to be made to the satellite's orientation in order to maintain its desired orbit.

4. What factors affect satellite direction?

The primary factors that affect satellite direction are gravitational pull from other objects in space, atmospheric drag, and solar radiation pressure. These forces can cause a satellite to deviate from its intended direction.

5. How does satellite direction impact communication and navigation?

Satellite direction is crucial for accurate communication and navigation. By knowing the exact direction and orientation of a satellite, ground stations and receivers can effectively communicate and navigate with the satellite to transmit and receive data.

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