What type of orbit allows a satellite to pass above or nearly above both poles of the body being orbited?

A polar orbit is specifically designed to allow a satellite to pass over or nearly above both the North and South Poles of the planet it is orbiting. In this type of orbit, the satellite moves in a path that is perpendicular to the equator, allowing it to eventually cover the entire surface of the Earth as the planet rotates beneath it.

This characteristic makes polar orbits particularly useful for Earth observation satellites, as it enables them to scan the entire surface over time and capture detailed imagery or data across different latitudes.

While a sun-synchronous orbit can also provide coverage of the polar regions and maintain a consistent angle with respect to the Sun, its primary function is to enable imaging at the same solar position. Geosynchronous orbits remain over a fixed point on the equator and do not facilitate passage over the poles, while equatorial orbits circle the Earth along the equator and also do not achieve polar coverage. Therefore, the definition and functionality of a polar orbit make it the correct answer for this scenario.