Re:SpaceX plans worldwide satellite Internet with low latenc...
by Symmetry on Friday November 18, 2016 @09:45AM
(#12987049)
There are 5 planes of 75 satellites planned by SpaceX later on for 81 degrees inclination which might be sun syncronous during the day but the initial 32 planes of 50 satellites are all headed for 53 degrees inclination which I'm sure isn't. You can't have sun synchronous orbits anyways for those satellites providing coverage during the night.
Re:SpaceX plans worldwide satellite Internet with low latenc...
by mnw21cam on Friday November 18, 2016 @10:09AM
(#12987226)
> You can't have sun synchronous orbits anyways for those satellites providing coverage during the night.
Um, what? Of course you can.
Re:SpaceX plans worldwide satellite Internet with low latenc...
by Symmetry on Friday November 18, 2016 @10:40AM
(#12987465)
Well, I mean you can put a satellite in orbit so that it always goes over the equator at midnight local time. But then it's solar panels will never get any juice and it won't function.
Re:SpaceX plans worldwide satellite Internet with low latenc...
by mnw21cam on Friday November 18, 2016 @10:45AM
(#12987500)
If it's in a sun-synchronous orbit when it is crossing the equator at midnight local time, then it will also cross the equator at midday local time on the other side of the world.
We have weather satellites in this exact orbit right now.
The exact orbit has to be arranged so that it precesses once a year, keeping it aligned with a particular local time of day. "Typical sun-synchronous orbits are about 600–800 km in altitude, with periods in the 96–100 minute range, and inclinations of around 98°"