What advantages can we obtain by putting a satellite in a Molniya orbit?

• A. Because the apogee is so high, it is the best orbit for doing lunar and deep space observation.
• B. It will provide good coverage of equitorial regions for reconnaissance.
• C. It will provide good coverage of the Arctic region for communications and surveillance.
• D. It is the most economic and survivable orbit for operating weather satellites.

Answer: (C)

Molniya orbits are designed to maximize visibility over high-latitude regions. The satellite runs in a highly elongated ellipse with a high apogee and an inclination around 63.4 degrees, a setup chosen so the apogee sits over the northern latitudes for a substantial portion of each 12-hour cycle. Because speeds slow near apogee, the craft lingers over the Arctic for several hours, delivering long, reliable windows for communications and surveillance in that region. This makes the orbit ideal for Arctic coverage.

The other scenarios don’t fit as well: lunar and deep-space observations usually require different orbital characteristics or vantage points; equatorial coverage is limited because the satellite spends most of its time over high latitudes; and weather satellites typically rely on other orbital regimes that optimize global weather data delivery and cost.