What orbit type is essential for achieving true global coverage, including the poles?
Answer
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) or Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)
To achieve true ubiquity, especially including the poles, the architecture must fundamentally change, often requiring many more satellites in non-geostationary orbits such as LEO or MEO.
Related Questions
What is the theoretical minimum number of geostationary satellites required for near-global coverage?How are the minimum three GEO satellites spaced around the equator in terms of longitude?What characteristic defines a satellite placed in Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO)?What geographical regions are excluded from the service footprint of a purely GEO constellation?Up to what approximate latitude do three strategically placed GEO satellites effectively provide coverage?What orbit type is essential for achieving true global coverage, including the poles?What is the primary operational benefit of MEO satellites used in GNSS systems like GPS over GEO satellites?What is the nominal constellation size often cited for the American GPS system (which uses MEO)?What key advantage does a LEO satellite offer regarding signal transmission compared to GEO?In commercial GEO operations, what factor often forces operators to deploy more than the theoretical minimum of three satellites?What is the typical physical spacing used by many commercial GEO operators to maximize the number of users sharing the orbital arc?