What is the primary use of polar orbits?

The primary use of polar orbits is indeed for meteorology and surveillance. Satellites in polar orbits travel over the Earth's poles, allowing them to pass over the entire surface of the Earth as the planet rotates beneath them. This gives them the ability to observe and collect data from all regions of the Earth, making them particularly useful for monitoring weather patterns, climate changes, and environmental conditions.

In meteorology, polar orbiting satellites provide crucial data for weather forecasting by capturing images and measurements of atmospheric conditions. They are able to cover the entire Earth over time, which is essential for understanding global weather systems.

For surveillance purposes, polar orbits enable reconnaissance satellites to gather information about land use, natural resources, and even military activities. Their capability to repeatedly pass over the same areas provides comprehensive coverage over time, making them valuable for intelligence and security operations.

Other orbit types, such as geostationary orbits, are less suitable for these applications, as they focus on a fixed area of the Earth and do not provide the comprehensive global view that polar orbits facilitate.