Temporal resolution depends on several factors--how long it takes for a satellite to return to (approximately) the same location in space, the swath of the sensor (related to its 'footprint'), and whether or not the sensor can be directed off-nadir. This is more formally known as the 'revisit period' (as explained here by NRCan). The Canada Centre for Remote Sensing has another short note on temporal resolution. Change detection relies on images being obtained at appropriate times, the likelihood of which depends on the temporal resolution of the satellite(s) and the likelihood of a useful image being obtained (e.g., clouds not present, or at least not obscuring the area of interest).

A useful summary of the characteristics of remotely sensed data (in particular spatial data acquisition and integration) is provided in this paper, which contains some useful summaries of the needs for different temporal (and spatial and spectral) resolutions. In particular, Table 3 and Table 4, along with Appendix A (which provides an overview of selected remote sensor systems' spatial, spectral, and temporal resolutions), are worth reviewing.

Some useful links:

• Characterization of satellite imagery, as presented by the US Satellite Imagery Corporation -- they provide some clear examples of spatial and temporal resolution issues.
• An interactive demonstration of the different 'footprints' associated with different sensors (and different spatial resolutions).
• The animation allowing you to adjust LEO satellite orbital parameters; showing a GEO satellite in action.
• Satellite swaths (a movie), and satellite orbits (a movie)--the orbit obviously affects the temporal resolution in the short term (how many hours does it take for the satellite to return to the same latitude?) and also in the longer term (how may days does it take for the satellite to return to the same latitude and longitude?).
• A description of the revisit capabilities of the SPOT 5 satellite--note how the different sensors have different swath widths and, based on whether the sensor can be directed 'off-nadir' (i.e., oblique viewing angles), different temporal resolutions.
• An animation of Phoenix showing how it has changed over time (from 1973 to 1989).
• Want to know what's up in the sky? Check out this page: Live real-time satellite tracking.
• News! Landsat 8 was launched on Monday, Feb 11, 2013.

Text: Chapter 4.2.1 Moving platforms