An analysis length of time MidSTAR is exposed to sunlight per day was performed using the Satellite Tool Kit program. The scenario assumes a launch date of 30SEP06 at 1200 GMT and runs for one full year. An access report of how many passes were made each day and how long each pass lasted was created and then exported into a spreadsheet. The pass data was compiled for each day, and then plotted as a function of time over the course of the year:

This graph shows that the total sunlight exposure oscillates, with two instances of the satellite being exposed to sunlight constantly for a period of at least one day. The first instance occurs from 15-17DEC06, and the second occurs on 29JUN07. On the days immediately preceding and following these periods the satellite spends very little time in eclipse, as can be seen on the graph.