High Earth orbit
From Free net encyclopedia
Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO) (often referred to as the Molniya orbit, after the former Soviet communications satellite network which used such an orbit) is a satellite orbit characterized by a relatively low-altitude perigee and an extremely high-altitude apogee. This extremely elongated orbit has the advantage of long dwell times (often exceeding twelve hours of dwell with a one-hour perigee phase) during the approach and descent from apogee while offering visibility over the polar regions, which most geosynchronous satellites lack. Along with the aforementioned geosynchronous orbit, highly elliptical orbit is used extensively by communications satellites.
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See also
- Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
- Medium Earth Orbit (MEO or ICO)
- Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO)
- Geostationary Orbit (GEO)
- Lunar Transfer Orbit (LTO)
- Polar Orbit