The Orbit Wizard
The Orbit Wizard is a satellite-level tool designed to assist you in creating any one of several standard orbits, or designing your own satellite orbit. The configurable options available will depend on the orbit type selected.
When you are using the Insert STK Objects panel in conjunction with the New Scenario Wizard, the Orbit Wizard may be chosen as an option for initializing a new satellite object. The Orbit Wizard can also be used modify an existing satellite by highlighting the satellite in the Object Browser to expose the Satellite menu and select Orbit Wizard ....
The orbit types are as follows:
| Satellite Orbit | Description |
|---|---|
| Circular | Circular orbits have a constant radius. |
| Critically Inclined | Critically Inclined orbits maintain perigee at a fixed latitude. The line of apsides does not change over time. |
| Critically Inclined, Sun Sync | Critically Inclined Sun Synchronous orbits combine the features of both basic types of orbits. The orbit uses a retrograde inclination of 116.565 degrees. The satellite will pass overhead at the same local mean solar time for each revolution and has a perigee which remains at a fixed latitude. |
| Geosynchronous | A satellite in a stationary orbit will remain fixed in the sky above the specified fixed longitude. |
| Molniya | Molniya orbits are highly eccentric, meaning that there is a large difference between the altitude at apogee and the altitude of perigee. Molniya orbits are also critically inclined. This keeps the perigee of the orbit in the Southern Hemisphere. Molniya orbits also have a long dwell time in the extreme latitude regions of the Northern Hemisphere. |
| Orbit Designer | With this option, you can create any orbit you wish. |
| Repeating Ground Trace | Orbits with repeating ground traces are useful when identical viewing conditions are desired at different times to detect changes. The ground trace may be caused to repeat every day or to interweave from day to day before repeating. |
| Repeating Sun Sync | Sun Sync orbits with repeating ground traces are useful when identical viewing and lighting conditions are desired at different times to detect changes. The ground trace may be caused to repeat every day or to interweave from day to day before repeating. The orbit repeats the ground coverage cycle and passes overhead at approximately the same local mean solar time for each revolution. |
| Sun Synchronous | These orbits are designed to utilize the effect of the Earth's oblateness, causing the orbit plane to precess at a rate equal to the mean orbital rate of the Earth around the Sun. Sun synchronous orbits have the property that their nodes maintain constant local mean solar times. |
The set of available orbit types is dependent upon the central body about which the orbit will be created. For example, sun synchronous orbit types are only available when the central body is in direct orbit about the Sun (planets, yes; moons of planets, no.). Molniya orbits are only offered as a selection if the central body is Earth. Stationary (the non-Earth centered orbit analogous to geosynchronous) orbits are only offered as a selection if the radius of the orbit is larger than the largest dimension of the central body.
Based on what orbit you select, certain orbital parameters can be defined. These parameters can then can then be updated as needed on the satellite's Orbit page.
You can set the name of the satellite by typing the desired name in the Satellite Name field.
If the satellite name already exists inside STK, STK will rename the satellite for you.
Analysis Time Period
You can select to use the current Scenario time period or set the time period here. Take a look at Scenario Time Period on how to update the Analysis Time Period.
Graphics
You can change the satellite's line color and the 3D model within the Orbit Wizard. Select Show All Objects if your choice of line color depends on colors already being used by other STK objects.
2D Graphics Window
The 2D Graphics Window in the Orbit Wizard provides a preview of what the satellite orbit will actually look like in the 2D Graphics Window. Any changes made to the Definitions field, will be updated immediately on the 2D Graphics Window preview.