Which type of orbit allows a satellite to pass over the same point on the Earth's surface at the same local solar time every day?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
Which type of orbit allows a satellite to pass over the same point on the Earth's surface at the same local solar time every day?
Polar orbit
Geostationary orbit
Sun-synchronous orbit
Elliptical orbit
A sun-synchronous orbit allows a satellite to pass over the same point on the Earth's surface at the same local solar time every day, as it is synchronized with the Earth's position relative to the Sun.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: Which type of orbit allows a satellite to pass over the same point on the Earth's surface at the same local solar time every day?
Solution: A sun-synchronous orbit allows a satellite to pass over the same point on the Earth's surface at the same local solar time every day, as it is synchronized with the Earth's position relative to the Sun.
Steps: 5
Step 1: Understand what an orbit is. An orbit is the path a satellite takes around the Earth.
Step 2: Learn about different types of orbits. There are many types, but we are focusing on one specific type.
Step 3: Know what a sun-synchronous orbit is. This is a special orbit that allows a satellite to stay in sync with the Sun.
Step 4: Realize that in a sun-synchronous orbit, the satellite moves in such a way that it passes over the same spot on Earth at the same time each day.
Step 5: Connect the idea of the satellite's orbit with the Earth's rotation and position relative to the Sun to understand why it passes over the same point at the same local solar time.
