This video presents the altimetry satellite SWOT with DORIS onboard. It shows the satellite on its orbit with the satellite reference frame axes and the direction towards the Sun. It gives an overview of the orbit (altitude, inclination, cycle, coverage) and attitude (yaw flip maneuver).
Elements:
-satellite reference frame axes: Xsat (red), Ysat (green), Zsat (blue)
-Sun direction vector (yellow)
-Velocity vector (white)
+Z is pointing towards the Earth's surface
+X or -X is aligned with flight direction
+Y is kept in the shadow
The DORIS antenna is located at the +Z side.
SWOT operates at about 890km above Earth's surface. Its circular orbit is inclined at an angle of 77.6°. Operation orbit repeats each 20.86455 days. The Sun crosses the orbit plane every 2.5 months. Yaw flips are performed each time the sun vector is crossing the orbital plane i.e. 5 times a year, to keep a cold face.