Orbit

The 74° orbit was chosen as the optimum inclination to achieve a combination of numerous measurements, global coverage and high latitude extension. The latitude of occultation measurements possible from the SCISAT orbit (see figure) essentially repeats itself every year.

Inclination (i): 74 degrees

Altitude (h): 650 km

Orbit Eccentricity (e): 0 (circular)

Orbital Period: 97.7 minutes

Orbital Lifetime > 5 years


Occultation lattitude as a funciton of date for the SCISAT satellite: