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Orbital Mechanisms
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Orbit Decay
Orbit decay is the gradual lowering of a satellite's orbit due to atmospheric drag. It is particularly relevant for LEO, where the residual atmosphere can slow down satellites, ultimately leading to re-entry and burn-up if not corrected.
Hohmann Transfer Orbit
A Hohmann Transfer Orbit is the most fuel-efficient way to move a spacecraft between two orbits with common focus. It is used to send spacecraft from lower Earth orbit to higher orbits or interplanetary trajectories.
Apogee and Perigee
Apogee is the point in the orbit of a satellite that is farthest from the Earth, and perigee is the closet point. Knowledge of these points is essential for transfer orbits, communications planning, and determining the impact of Earth's gravity on satellite speed.
Delta-v (ΔV)
Delta-v is the change in velocity required to execute an orbital maneuver. It is a critical parameter in mission planning, determining the propellant needed and the feasibility of various mission profiles.
Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
Low Earth Orbit is the region of space around Earth at altitudes between about 160 to 2,000 kilometers (100 to 1,200 miles). Satellites in LEO are ideal for observation, imaging, and telecommunications, due to their close proximity to the Earth's surface.
Lagrangian Points
Lagrangian Points are five positions in an orbital configuration where a small object affected only by gravity can theoretically be part of a constant-shape pattern with two larger objects (such as a satellite with the Earth and Moon). These points are used for space observatories and mission staging.
Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion
Kepler's Laws describe how planets orbit the Sun, which is crucial for spacecraft navigation and predicting orbits around other celestial bodies. They explain the elliptical nature of orbits, the equal area in equal time rule, and the relationship between orbital period and semi-major axis.
Inclination
Inclination is the angle between the orbital plane of a spacecraft and the equatorial plane of the Earth. It determines the latitudinal coverage of the orbit, affecting potential ground track and observational reach of the spacecraft.
Geostationary Orbit (GEO)
Geostationary Orbit is a circular high Earth orbit where satellites have an orbital period equal to the Earth's rotation period, making them appear stationary relative to a point on the Earth. This is ideal for communications, weather monitoring, and surveillance satellites.
Escape Velocity
Escape velocity is the minimum speed needed for an object to break free from a celestial body's gravitational field without further propulsion. For spacecraft, achieving escape velocity allows for missions to other planets or out of the solar system.
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