Launch Satellite Analysis THE REFERENCE
A plain-English guide to satellite orbits, sensors, access and coverage.
The reference collection is being prepared. Available below: AKSAM planning-model concepts. Broader orbit, sensor and coverage explanations are not yet published.
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4 explanations available.
These are plain-language explanations intended to help you understand satellite concepts. They are not formal technical definitions.
These names describe AKSAM's planning results. They are not claims of actual collection.
A visible pass where the AKSAM generic imaging model applies.
A Potential pass is the visible parent pass, whether or not the modeled pointing requirement qualifies for imaging. It can contain Qualified image opportunities.
GEO-like visibility is treated separately because the generic imaging model is not applied to those trajectories. Potential geometry does not establish actual collection.
A modeled interval satisfying the generic footprint-centre pointing rule.
Within a model-applicable visible pass, the required pointing to the assumed footprint centre must be ≤30°. The generic footprint is a 40 × 40 km ground-track-aligned square.
This is a planning assumption, not a verified payload capability. A modeled opportunity does not confirm operator tasking, payload operation or actual collection.
The modeled best-geometry point within a Qualified image opportunity.
This point is shown as the purple dot in AKSAM results. It is not Peak elevation time, an image-quality score or confirmed collection.
The point belongs to its modeled opportunity. Viewing it does not task a satellite or establish that an image was taken.
An interval when the visible target lies inside the assumed footprint directly below the satellite.
The assumed footprint is a 40 × 40 km ground-track-aligned square centred at the satellite subpoint. The visible target must lie inside that square.
Nadir image opportunity is a separate footprint condition, not another name for the Qualified image point. It does not establish real-world payload operation or collection.
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