Multiple choice

In which of the following orbits are most of the remote sensing satellites launched?

  1. Low Earth Orbit

  2. Medium Earth Orbit

  3. Geostationary Orbit

  4. Sun-synchronous Polar Orbit

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The majority of all satellites as well as Space Shuttles and International Space Stations, operate from Low Earth Orbit. But, when it comes specifically to remote sensing satellites, most of these satellites are deployed in Sun-synchronous Polar Orbit. It is called polar orbit because it passes over both the polar regions of the earth in the north-south direction. It is called Sun-synchronous because the orbit also keeps step with the sun in that it passes over a specific location on the sun-lit side of the earth when sun is at the same height above the eastern horizon. This helps in image interpretation because with the same sun-angle, the shadows cast by different features are then only a function of their heights.