Why doesn't NASA send a satellite (manned or unmanned) into a polar Earth orbit? The limits on the usual satellites are between about 45 degrees north 45 degrees south.
1 Answer
NASA does contribute satellites in polar Earth orbits.
Explanation:
NASA has developed Earth-orbiting satellites for NOAA, two of which are Advanced Television Infrared Observation Satellites in polar orbits (inclination = 98.730 degrees) for tracking atmospheric and weather conditions.
In fact, for example, one of Vandenberg Air Force Base's missions is to place satellites into polar orbit from the U.S. West Coast.
Polar orbits are used for weather tracking, mapping, and other observational purposes.
References:
- NOAA's Geostationary and Polar-Orbiting Weather Satellites.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Satellite Information System.
- Polar Orbiting Satellites. The Exploration of the Earth's Magnetosphere. David P. Stern and Mauricio Peredo.
- Polar orbit. Wikipedia.
