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This is a global constellation. The initial orbital planes are arranged so that the density of satellites is maximized in middle latitudes, where most of the af
by rklaehn 6y ago
This is a global constellation. The initial orbital planes are arranged so that the density of satellites is maximized in middle latitudes, where most of the affluent world population lives.
With a LEO constellation, unlike GEO, you can not just serve a single area. That is why you have to go with a very big, worldwide system.
- tialaramex 6y agoOr, of course, you can just choose not to offer a service part of the time, with satellites idling when they aren't pointed where you want them. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meridian_(satellite) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meridian_(satellite) The orbit those are doing (a Molniya orbit) means they are looking down at Russia for many hours, then they zip around the far side of the globe quickly, then back to hanging over Russia. Geostationary is cool, but it's very expensive, and lots of Russia is very far North for which Geostationary sucks anyway. So, do cheaper orbits with more birds, but with a very eccentric orbit and voila, you've solved the problem.
- ableal 6y agoThanks, that was interesting. I skipped to the first linked https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molniya_orbit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molniya_orbit Highlights: "[Pic of 12h orbit] Usually the period from perigee +2 hours to perigee +10 hours is used to transmit to the northern hemisphere." "In practice, a satellite in a Molniya orbit serves the same purpose for high latitudes as a geostationary satellite does for equatorial regions, except that multiple satellites are required for continuous coverage."