Published On Premiered Mar 15, 2021
The definition of a sun synchronous orbit is a near polar orbit who’s nodal (or right ascension) precession rate is equal to the Earth’s mean orbital rate around the sun.
In geometric terms, this means that the orientation of the orbital plane of a sun synchronous orbit remains constant with respect to the sun vector, as is shown in the initial animation.
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The orbital plane is precessing (due to the J2 perturbation) at the same rate of the sun vector (relative to Earth), so relative to each other they are approximately fixed.
Link to paper referenced in this video:
https://trs.jpl.nasa.gov/bitstream/ha...
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Link to Orbital Mechanics with Python video series:
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Link to Spacecraft Attitude Control with Python video series:
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Link to video covering the J2 perturbation:
• J2 Perturbation | Orbital Mechanics w...
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