Polar Orbiting Satellites: Definition, Examples, Advantages & Disadvantages

A polar orbiting satellite, also known simply as a polar satellite, is a satellite that orbits the Earth in a path that closely aligns with the Earth’s North and South poles. These satellites typically reside in a Sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 700 to 800 kilometers.

The key characteristic of a polar satellite is its ability to pass over every location on Earth at the same latitude twice per orbit, and at the same local solar time. This allows for regular, repetitive coverage of the entire globe. Consequently, a significant number of Earth imaging satellites employ polar orbits.

In essence, these satellites circle the planet in a roughly north-south ellipse while the Earth rotates beneath them. Each revolution sees the satellite cross over both poles. A typical orbital period for a polar satellite is approximately 100 minutes.

Examples of Polar Orbiting Satellites

• SCATSAT-1: An Indian satellite launched via PSLV C-35 into a 730 km polar Sun-synchronous orbit. It provides wind vector data useful for weather forecasting, cyclone detection, and tracking.
• Other notable examples include the Landsat series, SPOT series, IRS series, NOAA satellites, SEASAT, and TIROS.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Polar Satellites

• Advantages: Polar satellites are ideal for reconnaissance and capturing high-resolution images for Earth observation and mapping purposes.
• Disadvantages: These satellites cannot continuously view a specific location on the Earth’s surface.