| Orbit Type | Altitude | Inclination | Typical Mission | Key Characteristic | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | 400–2000 km | 28°–98° | Earth obs, ISS | High resolution, short revisit | | SSO (Sun-Synch) | 500–800 km | 97°–99° | Imaging, weather | Constant β-angle, fixed local time | | MEO (Medium) | 20,000 km | 55° | Navigation (GPS) | High coverage, longer dwell | | GEO (Geostationary) | 35,786 km | 0° | Comms, weather | Fixed ground footprint | | HEO (Highly Elliptical) | 500 × 40,000 km | 63.4° | Molniya/Tundra | Apogee dwell over high latitudes |
If you are looking for broader introductions before diving into Wertz's specialized text: Space Mission Analysis and Design. - Aerostudents | Orbit Type | Altitude | Inclination |
