This question appears in Mumbai University > Satellite Communication and Network subject

Marks: 5 M

Year: Dec 2014

• The orbital plane intersects the equatorial plane at two points. These two points are known as nodes.
• Ascending node: The point at which satellite intersects the equatorial plane while going from south to north.
• Descending node: The point at which satellite intersects the equatorial plane going from north to south.

• However, because the earth spins and the orbital plane remains stationary the nodes change with time.
• Also regression of nodes, that is the rotation of orbital plane in the direction opposite to the satellite motion around the axis of rotation of the earth, the nodes appear to slide along the equator.