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Nimbus 1

Nimbus 1 in polar orbit

Polar orbit was a type of spacecraft orbit that was positioned over the geographic poles of a planet as the planet rotated below. In the case of Earth, this type of orbit was positioned an altitude of 22,300 miles (35,888 kilometers) resulting in a complete orbit twice a day. (TOS: "The Cage")

An image of the Nimbus 1, the first United States weather satellite positioned over Earth in a polar orbit, was seen in the USS Enterprise's library computer, as previewed by the Talosians. (TOS: "The Cage")

While attempting to locate Roga Danar, who had escaped in the drive section of an Angosian transport ship, eluded the bridge crew of the USS Enterprise-D by hanging over one of Angosia III's poles, using the pole's magnetic field to confuse the ship's sensors. After Data recalibrated the ship's sensors to read through the electromagnetic interference over the poles, Commander Riker had the helm "realign for polar orbit", where they were able to once again locate Danar's vessel. (TNG: "The Hunted")

After the Ux-Mal entities, took over the bodies of Deanna Troi and Data, both attempted to redirect the USS Enterprise-D into a polar orbit over the southern polar region of the moon orbiting Mab-Bu VI, while leading the Enterprise-D crew to believe that they were looking for the missing USS Essex, when in reality it was the location of the rest of the entities. "Data" recommended, due to the moon's EM field properties, that the ship should perform a search pattern beginning there. Commander Riker rejected the option, citing that they would be starting from scratch. "Data" then pointed out that since the Essex' signal was never clearly located, that a systematic survey from a polar orbit might be more practical. Though ultimately agreeing with "Data", Riker wanted to pursue other options first and order them to maintain their current orbit. A short time later, "Data" took the liberty to overrode the helm's orbital heading, and moved the ship into a polar orbit. (TNG: "Power Play")

See also[]

  • Polar magnetic field

External link[]

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