Figure 5.3 Schematic illustrating the spatial coverage of UARS, a
polar-orbiting research satellite. The orbital altitude is 600 km; the
inclination angle is 57 degree; and, 97% of the surface is sampled in
one day. The satellite's orbital precession results in measurement
coverage of all local times in 36 days. Vertical sampling is 15-60 km
with 2.5 km resolution. Latitudinal sampling is 500 km. The latter is
defined by the distance traveled in the one minute needed to make a
vertical measurement. (NASA, 1987: Courtesy of David P. Edwards, NCAR)
Click on figure to see it with full resolution.