Space Operations

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2. A Satellite Orbital Period The size of a satellite’s orbit determines its period, or the time it takes to complete one revolution. The lower the orbital altitude, the shorter the period. Common orbits have periods ranging from about 90 minutes (low orbits just above the atmosphere) to 24 hours (“geosynchronous” orbits approximately 22,300 statute miles above the Earth’s surface) (see Figure A.2). 3. Eccentricity Figure A.2. A Satellite Orbital Period Eccentricity is used to describe how much an orbit’s shape deviates from a circle. The figure ranges from 0 to 1 with a value of 0 for a circular orbit. 4. Inclination A satellite’s inclination is the angle between the Earth’s equatorial plane and the satellite’s orbital plane (measured counterclockwise from the equatorial to the orbital plane at the point where the satellite’s path crosses the equator headed northward) (see Figure A.3). This angle determines what part of the Earth’s surface passes directly beneath the satellite—a critical consideration in accomplishing its mission (see Figure A.4). Depending on the inclination, a single satellite may not be able to provide coverage of a specific point on or region of the Earth. However, a constellation may have that capability. Other space assets—civil, commercial, international, and military— may be used to supplement the satellite’s capability and provide continuous, nonintrusive coverage. 44
Figure A.3. Inclination 5. Types of Orbits (See Figure A.5) Figure A.4. Comparison of Inclination Figure A.5. Types of Orbits 45
Page 1 and 2: SPACE AFDD Template OPERATIONS Guid
Page 3 and 4: FOREWORD The mission of the United
Page 5 and 6: CHAPTER FIVE—Development of Space
Page 7 and 8: COMAFFOR / JFACC / CFACC A note on
Page 9 and 10: CHAPTER ONE SPACE OPERATIONS FUNDAM
Page 11 and 12: assets hold the ultimate high groun
Page 13 and 14: Space control (SC) capabilities att
Page 15 and 16: superiority is that degree of space
Page 17 and 18: GLOBAL AND THEATER CONSIDERATIONS M
Page 19 and 20: (AOC) staff. Also, the Air Force au
Page 21 and 22: Theater-organic Space Forces GCCs e
Page 23 and 24: During times of conflict or large-s
Page 25 and 26: Tasks of the DIRSPACEFOR Recommend
Page 27 and 28: The COMAFFOR supports the combatant
Page 29 and 30: Integrate joint space capabilities
Page 31 and 32: military operations. The theater in
Page 33 and 34: Describing electromagnetic effects
Page 35 and 36: Article IV also prohibits a limited
Page 37 and 38: CHAPTER FOUR EXECUTING SPACE OPERAT
Page 39 and 40: Combat Plans Division. The combat p
Page 41 and 42: The Space AOC/JSpOC normally synchr
Page 43 and 44: INTEGRATING CIVIL, COMMERCIAL, FORE
Page 45 and 46: attack against friendly space capab
Page 47 and 48: EXERCISES Exercises are conducted t
Page 49 and 50: SUGGESTED READINGS Air Force Public
Page 51: APPENDIX ORBITAL FUNDAMENTALS 1. St
Page 55 and 56: Figure A.7. Polar Orbit c. Medium E
Page 57 and 58: Variations Figure A.10. Geosynchron
Page 59 and 60: GLOSSARY Abbreviations and Acronyms
Page 61 and 62: SC SCA SecDef SFA SFE SOD SOPS SPIN
Page 63 and 64: space force application. Combat ope

Space Operations

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