Possibly easier for optics? Lower orbit = faster velocity. So your screaming by over Emutopia's enrichment plant, and trying to take photos. Telephotography

Possibly easier for optics? Lower orbit = faster velocity. So your screaming by over Emutopia's enrichment plant, and trying to take photos. Telephotography might be an easier solve than faster image capture for the same resolution and clarity. A higher orbit means you have to do less drastic tracking corrections to observe the same area while over it. Alternative: it's a space plane and has been mentioned it uses aero braking for orbital adjustments. A highly elliptical orbit imparts a significant chunk of potential energy that can be expended for orbital changes using aero braking instead of needing to expend limited propellent. Source: personal experience with several hundred hours of KSP.