As the satellite moves the earth rotates underneath it.
Gps satellite orbit inclination.
The fourth gps iii satellite is scheduled to launch on friday october 2.
The gps space segment also consists of nominally 24 satellites which are however distributed over six orbital planes differing from plane to plane by 60 deg in longitude of the ascending node.
Orbits of the gps satellites distances are to scale the satellites orbit the earth with a speed of 3 9 km per second and have a circulation time of 12 h sidereal time corresponding to 11 h 58 min earth time.
In 24 hours the satellite crosses over the same two spots on the equator every day.
If a satellite is at a height of 100 kilometers it must have an orbital inclination of 96 degrees to maintain a sun synchronous orbit.
View pre launch news release 3.
As of august 2020 75 global positioning system navigation satellites have been launched 31 of which are operational 9 in reserve 3 being tested 30 have been retired and 2 were lost at launch.
The constellation requires a minimum of 24 operational satellites and the official target count is 33.
This orbit is consistent and highly predictable.
It is the orbit used by the global positioning system gps satellites.
It is expressed as the angle between a reference plane and the orbital plane or axis of direction of the orbiting object.
The nominal gps satellite constellation consists of 24 space vehicles svs distributed in six orbital planes with an inclination of 55 degrees in relation to the equator.
The space force successfully launched the third gps iii satellite into orbit.
The gps 3 sv04 satellite separates from the falcon 9 rocket in an elliptical transfer orbit with an apogee or high point near the altitude of the gps fleet located around 12 550 miles 22 200.
This means that the same satellite reaches a certain position about 4 minutes earlier each day.
A satellite at this height takes 12 hours to complete an orbit.
At any inclination a geosynchronous orbit synchronizes with the rotation of the earth.
Any deviation in height or inclination will take the satellite out of a sun synchronous orbit.
More specifically the time it takes for the earth to rotate on its axis is 23 hours 56 minutes and 4 09 seconds which is the same as a satellite in a geosynchronous orbit.
View pre launch news release 2.
The launch window opens at 9 43 p m.
In addition the constellation has 3 backup satellites.
View space force.
For a satellite orbiting the earth directly above the equator the plane of the satellite s orbit is the same as the earth s equatorial plane and the satellite s orbital inclination is 0.
The path that a satellite has to travel to stay in a sun synchronous orbit is very narrow.
View pre launch news release 1.
