My employer used to operate the 3 Sirius Radio Satellites for them. They are highly inclined Geosynchronous, and are set so at least one of the 3 is always over North America. The idea is to have a higher look angle for most of their customers, reducing dropouts from obstructions. The Kep data for the 3 of them as well as XM radio's birds is available from Celestrack at http://www.celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/other-comm.txt .
The 3 Sirius birds currently in orbit are Space Systems Loral FS 1300 Series birds modified so they can be flown inclined.
73 DE Mark KK7CU
On 2/22/08, Alan Sieg WB5RMG wb5rmg@somenet.net wrote:
The Sirius birds are in an "Inclined Orbit".
Is this type of orbit can be a solution for the next HEO?
The reference to the Molniya orbit could be to recall the orbit of AO-13... slow high-altitude lingering Northern Hemisphere apogees, rotating ascending nodes about the globe to distribute coverage more evenly around the globe. Over the US, next over Europe, then over Asia. This was very popular at the time, and would likely be welcomed again.
I would suspect that a 'tundra-inclined orbit', fixed over the US as the Sirius Radio Sats are, would not be as internationally well supported. /;^)
-- <- WB5RMG is Alan Sieg * http://wb5rmg.somenet.net ->
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb