Understanding the different types of orbits

Understanding the different types of orbits

PresentaTION

Their characteristics and Applications

Jorge Olivan Castro and Borja López Castro

Why some of these orbits are important?

Why some of these orbits are important?

TYPES

LEO

MOLNIYA

POLAR

mEO

TUNDRA

HELIOCENTRIC

GRAVEYARD

Geo

DRO

HEO

INTERPLANETARY

SSO

TYPES OF ORBITS

LEO

LEO

Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

Altitude: 160–2,000 km above Earth. Orbital period: ~90–120 minutesCharacteristics:

1. High-speed orbit
2. High radiation exposure
3. Requires frequent adjustments due to atmospheric drag

Applications:

1. International Space Station (ISS)
2. Earth observation and remote sensing satellites
3. Starlink and other communication satellites

TYPES OF ORBITS

MEO

MEO

Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)

Altitude: 2,000–35,786 kmOrbital period: ~2–12 hoursCharacteristics:

• More stable than LEO, less atmospheric drag
• Requires fewer corrections than LEO

Applications:

• Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites (~20,200 km)
• Navigation and communication satellites

TYPES OF ORBITS

GEO

GEO

Geostationary Orbit (GEO)

Altitude: 35,786 kmOrbital period: 24 hours (matches Earth's rotation) Characteristics: Appears fixed in the sky from Earth Ideal for continuous coverage of a specific region Applications: Weather monitoring satellites (GOES) Communication satellites (DirecTV, telecommunications) Military and intelligence satellites

TYPES OF ORBITS

HEO

HEO

Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO)

Shape: Highly elongated (low perigee, high apogee)

Orbital period: Varies based on eccentricity

Applications:

• Polar surveillance
• Communication satellites

Characteristics:

• Spends most of its time at a high altitude
• Covers high-latitude regions better than GEO

TYPES OF ORBITS

MOLNIYA

MOLNIYA

Molniya Orbit (HEO Subtype)

Altitude: Perigee ~500 km, Apogee ~40,000 km Inclination: ~63.4° Orbital Period: ~12 hours Characteristics:

1. Long dwell time over high latitudes
2. Avoids issues with GEO satellites at high latitudes
3. Requires two or three satellites for continuous coverage

Applications:

1. Military communications
2. Weather observation over polar regions
3. Surveillance satellites

TYPES OF ORBITS

TUNDRA

TUNDRA

HEO subtype

Altitude: Similar to Molniya, but adjusted for a 24-hour period Inclination: ~63.4° Orbital Period: Exactly 24 hours Characteristics:

• Like Molniya, it covers high-latitude regions
• Stays longer over a specific region but with a full-day cycle

Applications:

• Communications for high latitudes
• Some weather monitoring satellites

TYPES OF ORBITS

GRAVEYARD

GRAVEYARD

Graveyard Orbit (Decommissioned Satellites)

Altitude: Slightly above GEO (~300 km higher) Orbital Period: ~24 hours (but drifting) Characteristics:

• Used to move old GEO satellites out of operational space
• Reduces space debris risks

Applications:

• Satellite disposal and end-of-life management
• Types of Orbits Based on Special Functions

TYPES OF ORBITS

SSO

SSO

Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO)

Altitude: ~600–800 km

Orbital period: ~96–100 minutes

Applications:

• Earth observation (Landsat, Sentinel)
• Spy and reconnaissance satellites

Characteristics:

• Passes over the same location at the same local solar time daily
• Ensures consistent lighting conditions for imaging

TYPES OF ORBITS

POLAR

POLAR

Inclination: 90° (passes over the poles)Orbital period: ~100 minutes Characteristics:

1. Covers the entire planet as Earth rotates below.
2. Provides global coverage.

Applications:

1. Climate and environmental monitoring.
2. Scientific satellites.

10

TYPES OF ORBITS

HELIOCENTRIC

HELIOCENTRIC

Altitude: Varies widely, depending on the missionOrbital Period: Varies (depends on distance from the Sun)Characteristics:

• Orbits around the Sun instead of Earth
• Used for deep-space probes and solar studies

Applications:

• Parker Solar Probe (studying the Sun)
• Mars rovers (transiting to Mars)

11

TYPES OF ORBITS

DRO

DRO

Distant Retrograde Orbit (Lunar Missions)

Altitude: ~70,000 km from the MoonOrbital Period: ~12–15 daysCharacteristics:

• Retrograde orbit (moves opposite to the Moon’s rotation)
• Extremely stable for long-duration lunar missions

Applications:

• Artemis Lunar Gateway (future Moon missions)

12

TYPES OF ORBITS

INTERPLANETARY

INTERPLANETARY

Hohmann Transfer Orbit Overview:

• Inclination: depending on the starting and destination planets' orbital inclinations.
• Orbital Period: Half of the total transfer time between the two planets (e.g., ~9 months for Earth to Mars).

Characteristics:

• Uses an elliptical orbit to transfer between two circular orbits.
• Requires two engine burns: Departure Burn: To enter the elliptical transfer orbit. Arrival Burn: To match the target planet’s orbit at the destination.
• Most efficient for planets with orbits relatively close to one another

Applications:

• Planetary Missions: Used for missions like Mars rovers or probes sent to other planets.
• Interplanetary Spacecraft: Ideal for cost-effective travel between planets in terms of fuel usage.Shape: Highly elongated (low perigee, high apogee)

THANKS!

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