Orbital Regimes and Compliance: LEO, MEO, GEO Requirements

Different orbital regimes carry different regulatory requirements. Understanding these distinctions is essential for mission planning and compliance.

Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

Definition: Orbits below 2,000 km altitude

Compliance Considerations

Debris Mitigation

• 5-year post-mission disposal (EU Space Act)

• Natural decay may satisfy requirement

• Higher drag = shorter lifetime

Collision Avoidance

• Congested environment

• More frequent conjunction events

• Higher maneuver capability needed

Atmospheric Considerations

• Variable drag with solar activity

• Orbital decay uncertainty

• Re-entry planning required

Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)

Definition: 2,000 km to GEO (35,786 km)

Compliance Considerations

Radiation Environment

• Van Allen belt exposure

• Spacecraft hardening requirements

• Lifetime implications

Disposal Challenges

• Neither LEO decay nor GEO graveyard

• Active disposal often required

• Longer timelines

Geostationary Orbit (GEO)

Definition: 35,786 km circular equatorial

Compliance Considerations

Station-Keeping

• Orbital slot coordination

• ITU filing requirements

• Longitude control

End-of-Life

• Graveyard orbit requirement

• Minimum 300 km above GEO

• Passivation mandatory

Spectrum Coordination

• Critical for GEO communications

• International coordination essential

• Long lead times

Highly Elliptical Orbits (HEO)

Special considerations for Molniya, Tundra orbits:

• Variable altitude compliance

• Multiple regime considerations

• Complex disposal planning

Choosing Your Orbit

Compliance should factor into orbit selection: 1. Mission requirements first 2. Compliance cost evaluation 3. Disposal feasibility 4. Long-term sustainability

Different orbits, different rules, different costs.