Iridium HD

If the radius of the satellite orbit is less than the radius of the geo-stationary orbit, then the satellite will outstrip the spinning of the globe and we can not direct the satellite dish on it. Nevertheless, satellites on the low orbits provide more a powerful signal as compared to the satellites on the geo-stationary orbit, and using several satellites on the same orbit, permanent telecommunication can be achieved.

This principle was used in the telecommunication satellite system "Iridium", which uses 66 Low Earth Orbit satellites: 11 satellites in 6 orbits, as shown in the animation. Every satellite covers the area on the globe shown by a light spot. We can see in this figure that the spots overlap, covering the entire surface of the globe. This means that this satellite system provides continuous telephone communication at every point of the globe.

http://physics-animations.com/

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• physics
• mechanic
• orbit
• satellite
• Iridium
• education
• animation