Sun-synchronous orbit
[2][3] More technically, it is an orbit arranged so that it precesses through one complete revolution each year, so it always maintains the same relationship with the Sun.The dawn/dusk orbit has been used for solar-observing scientific satellites such as TRACE, Hinode and PROBA-2, affording them a nearly continuous view of the Sun.The plane of the orbit is not fixed in space relative to the distant stars, but rotates slowly about the Earth's axis.Typical Sun-synchronous orbits around Earth are about 600–800 km (370–500 mi) in altitude, with periods in the 96–100-minute range, and inclinations of around 98°.Earth observation satellites, in particular, prefer orbits with constant altitude when passing over the same spot.
polar orbitmean solar timeprecessesimagingreconnaissanceweather satellitesillumination anglesatellitesinfraredecliptic planelocal solar timedescending nodeterminatorscientific satellitesHinodePROBA-2osculatingprecesscelestial sphereequatorial bulgeminuteretrogradeoblateprecessioncoefficient for the second zonal termoblatenesssidereal yearsemi-major axisstandard gravitational parameterapparent solar timeEquation of timeAnalemmaEarth observation satellitesargument of periapsisorbital eccentricityfrozen orbitERS-1, ERS-2EnvisatEuropean Space AgencyEUMETSATRADARSAT-2Canadian Space AgencyOrbital perturbation analysis (spacecraft)Geosynchronous orbitGeostationary orbitList of orbitsWorld Geodetic SystemBibcodeorbitsCaptureCircularEllipticalHighly ellipticalEscapeHorseshoeHyperbolic trajectoryInclinedNon-inclinedKeplerLagrange pointParabolic trajectoryParkingPrograde / RetrogradeSynchronousTransfer orbitGeocentricGeosynchronousGeostationaryGeostationary transferGraveyardHigh EarthLow EarthMedium EarthMolniyaNear-equatorialOrbit of the MoonTransatmosphericTundraVery low EarthAreocentricAreosynchronousAreostationaryDistant retrogradeLissajousLibrationHeliocentricEarth's orbitMars cyclerLunar cyclerParametersEccentricitySemi-minor axisApsidesInclinationLongitude of the ascending nodeLongitude of the periapsisMean anomalyTrue anomalyEccentric anomalyMean longitudeTrue longitudeOrbital periodMean motionOrbital speedManeuversBi-elliptic transferCollision avoidance (spacecraft)Delta-vDelta-v budgetGravity assistGravity turnHohmann transferInclination changeLow-energy transferOberth effectPhasingRocket equationRendezvousTrans-lunar injectionTransposition, docking, and extractionOrbitalmechanicsAstronomical coordinate systemsCharacteristic energyEscape velocityEphemerisEquatorial coordinate system