The Orbit

• The scpacecraft are in a geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO)
  
  • Perigee is 200 km and apogee of 36,000 km, inclination of 7°
    
  • This orbit provides a particularly hostile environment
    
    • Atomic oxygen erosion near parigee
    • Transits through the radiation belts
    • Electrostatic charging at apogee
  • Eclipses change during the year from two hours to zero
  • The spacecraft do not have orbit adjustment capability
  • The spacecraft do not have ranging capability
  • Orbit determination is provided by NORAD as a standard two-line element set

   

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