ABOUT HALO ORBIT (L1/L2)
A Halo Orbit is a periodic three-dimensional orbit around one of the Sun-Earth Lagrange points, typically L1 or L2. These orbits require station-keeping but offer unique vantage points. L1 halo orbits are ideal for solar observation, while L2 provides a thermally stable environment shielded from the Sun for deep-space telescopes.
ORBITAL PARAMETERS
| Altitude (Min) | 1,500,000 km |
| Altitude (Max) | 1,500,000 km |
| Inclination | N/A° |
| Orbital Period | 262800 minutes |
| Orbital Velocity | 0.2-0.5 km/s |
| Delta-V Required | 3.4 km/s |
| Eccentricity | N/A |
| Category | Lagrange Point |
EQUATION / FORMULA
Three-body restricted problem, Jacobi integral
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES
ADVANTAGES
Uninterrupted solar/deep-space viewing, stable thermal environment, continuous Earth communication
DISADVANTAGES
Unstable orbit requires regular station-keeping, far from Earth for servicing, long transit time
HISTORY
| Discoverer / Pioneer | Robert Farquhar (1968) |
| First Use | August 12, 1978 |
ALTITUDE CONVERSIONS (MIN)
| Kilometers | 1,500,000 km |
| Miles | 932,057 mi |
| Nautical Miles | 809,936 nmi |
TYPICAL PAYLOADS (3)
SATELLITE CONSTELLATIONS (4)
