太阳同步轨道（Sun-synchronous orbit或简写成SSO,有时被错误的称为另一种 heliosynchronous orbit) 是一种结合高度和倾角的地心轨道，使这个物体无论在升交点、降交点或轨道上任何的一点，在地球表面同一个点的上方时都在相同的平太阳时，即表面每次都接近相同的照明角度。这种在可见光或红外线波长上有着一致光源的地球影像 (例如，气象和间谍卫星) 和其它的遥测卫星 (例如，携带遥测海洋和大气，需要阳光的遥测仪器卫星)是有用的卫星特征。例如，一颗太阳同步卫星一天可以在升交点越过地球赤道12次，而每次都约在地方平时15:00经过。这获得一个相对于地球在天球上环绕着太阳公转的平面每天向东约一度的进动 (旋转) 密切的轨道。

A Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO, also called a heliosynchronous orbit) is a geocentric orbit that combines altitude and inclination in such a way that the satellite passes over any given point of the planet's surface at the same local solar time. Such an orbit can place a satellite in constant sunlight and is useful for imaging, spy, and weather satellites. More technically, it is an orbit arranged in such a way that it precesses once a year. The surface illumination angle will be nearly the same every time that the satellite is overhead. This consistent lighting is a useful characteristic for satellites that image the Earth's surface in visible or infrared wavelengths (e.g. weather and spy satellites) and for other remote sensing satellites (e.g. those carrying ocean and atmospheric remote sensing instruments that require sunlight). For example, a satellite in sun-synchronous orbit might ascend across the equator twelve times a day each time at approximately 15:00 mean local time. This is achieved by having the osculating orbital plane precess (rotate) approximately one degree each day with respect to the celestial sphere, eastward, to keep pace with the Earth's movement around the Sun.