What is a key advantage of polar orbiting satellites?

Polar orbiting satellites are positioned in orbits that pass over the Earth's poles, allowing them to cover the entire surface of the Earth over time as the planet rotates beneath them. One of the key advantages of these satellites is their ability to operate at lower altitudes compared to geostationary satellites. This closer proximity to the Earth results in higher resolution images because the sensors on board can capture more detailed data from the Earth's surface.

The lower altitude not only enhances the clarity of the images but also enables the sensors to detect finer features on the ground, such as changes in land use, vegetation health, and urban development. This spatial resolution is crucial for applications in environmental monitoring, agriculture, and disaster management.

While polar orbiting satellites do provide comprehensive coverage of the Earth over time, they do not view the entire surface at once, which makes that option less applicable. Furthermore, they are not stationed at higher altitudes for better detail, as that would lead to a decrease in resolution. Instead, their unique orbit allows them to gather detailed information from various parts of the planet as it orbits through their swath each pass. They also do not maintain a constant position over a single geographical area, unlike geostationary satellites, which hover over