What is a disadvantage of Highly Elliptical Orbit?

What is a disadvantage of Highly Elliptical Orbit?

• A. It has the highest radiation level environment
• B. It has the shortest orbital period
• C. It provides the poorest coverage
• D. It requires the most ground antennas

Answer: (A)

In a highly elliptical orbit, the satellite spends a lot of time cruising at high altitudes near apogee while periodically dipping down toward Earth at perigee. That long dwell at high altitude takes the craft through the outer radiation belts, where intense charged particles abound. Encountering this radiation environment repeatedly can degrade solar panels, upset onboard electronics, and shorten mission life, making radiation exposure the primary disadvantage of this orbit. The orbital period for such an orbit isn’t the shortest; it’s relatively long—often around half a day—so that option doesn’t fit. While this orbit can provide good coverage for high-latitude regions during apogee passes, it isn’t accurate to call its overall coverage the poorest. Ground station requirements vary and aren’t inherently the most demanding aspect of this orbit, so that option isn’t the key drawback.

In a highly elliptical orbit, the satellite spends a lot of time cruising at high altitudes near apogee while periodically dipping down toward Earth at perigee. That long dwell at high altitude takes the craft through the outer radiation belts, where intense charged particles abound. Encountering this radiation environment repeatedly can degrade solar panels, upset onboard electronics, and shorten mission life, making radiation exposure the primary disadvantage of this orbit.

The orbital period for such an orbit isn’t the shortest; it’s relatively long—often around half a day—so that option doesn’t fit. While this orbit can provide good coverage for high-latitude regions during apogee passes, it isn’t accurate to call its overall coverage the poorest. Ground station requirements vary and aren’t inherently the most demanding aspect of this orbit, so that option isn’t the key drawback.