Ellipso^TM-Borealis^TM

The Borealis^TM constellation is designed to provide coverage of the northern temperate latitudes. This constellation is based on the use of 10 satellites in two elliptic orbital planes. Borealis orbits are inclined at 116.6 degrees. They have apogees of 7,605 kilometers, perigees of 633 kilometers, and a three-hour orbital period. The apogees are near the northern extremity of the orbits.

The Borealis elliptical orbits concentrate satellite coverage from the equator to the North-effectively tailoring capacity to northern latitudes where demand is greatest. The elliptical orbits concentrate capacity where it is needed, require less launch energy than comparable circular orbits, and allow batteries to recharge south of the equator, when the satellites are "quiet". This means that with fewer, smaller satellites with lower launch costs, the cost-to-capacity equation is greatly improved, making end user prices lower. On top of all this, the Borealis orbits are carefully configured to be sun-synchronous. That is, the orientation of the orbital plane remains fixed relative to the direction to the sun throughout the year, effectively increasing capacity at peak usage times (daylight hours).