"In celestial mechanics, an orbit (also known as orbital revolution) is the curved trajectory of an object such as the trajectory of a planet around a star, or of a natural satellite around a planet, or of an artificial satellite around an object or position in space such as a planet, moon, asteroid, or Lagrange point."
Different types of orbits such as circular, elliptical, parabolic, and hyperbolic orbits.
Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion: Describe the movement of planets around the sun in their elliptical orbits and provide a mathematical framework for understanding and predicting celestial motion.
Two-Body Problem: The study of motion between two objects in space, often used to model the orbits of planetary bodies in our solar system.
Three-Body Problem: This problem involves the mathematical description of the gravitational and other forces that act between three celestial objects, and is useful for understanding the motion of satellites and other objects in space.
Orbital Parameters: Describes the shape, size, and orientation of an orbit in space and includes parameters such as periapsis, apoapsis, eccentricity, inclination, and argument of periapsis.
Hohmann Transfer Orbit: A type of orbit that is used to transfer a spacecraft from one circular orbit to another using the least amount of propellant.
Satellite Orbits: The study of satellite orbits and their applications, such as weather and communication satellites, and imaging satellites used for scientific exploration.
Orbital Mechanics Software: Software tools used to simulate and analyze orbital mechanics problems, such as satellite orbit design and mission planning.
Perturbation Theory: A mathematical method used to calculate the effects of minor perturbations on a celestial object's orbit, such as the gravitational pull of other planets or moons in the solar system.
Orbital Maneuvers: The study of how rockets or spacecraft can be maneuvered to change their orbits or to perform specific tasks in space.
Spacecraft Attitude Control: A subsystem of spacecraft engineering that involves controlling the attitude or orientation of a spacecraft using thrusters, gyroscopes, or other propulsion systems.
Interplanetary Trajectories: The study of the trajectories that spacecraft travel between planets in our solar system, often using gravitational slingshot maneuvers to save fuel and time.
Lagrangian Points: Five points in space where gravitational forces balance out, allowing spacecraft to remain in fixed positions relative to other celestial bodies in our solar system.
Orbital Debris: The study of space debris and how it can affect satellites and spacecraft in orbit, as well as efforts to mitigate the amount of space debris through deorbiting and other methods.
Circular Orbit: An orbit in which an object travels around another object in a perfect circle, with constant speed and distance.
Elliptical Orbit: An orbit in which an object travels around another object in an elongated oval shape.
Heliocentric Orbit: An orbit around the sun.
Geocentric Orbit: An orbit around the Earth.
Polar Orbit: An orbit in which an object travels over the Earth’s poles.
Equatorial Orbit: An orbit that is aligned with the Earth's equator.
Low Earth Orbit (LEO): An orbit between 200 km and 2,000 km above the Earth's surface.
Medium Earth Orbit (MEO): An orbit between 2,000 km and 35,800 km above the Earth's surface.
Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO): An orbit that is highly elongated and takes an object far out into space and back again.
Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO): A near polar orbit that is synchronized with the sun's position relative to the Earth.
Molniya Orbit: A highly elliptical orbit in which the object spends most of its time over one hemisphere.
Transfer Orbit: An orbit that is used to transfer an object from one orbit to another.
Escape Trajectory: The path taken by a spacecraft to escape the gravitational pull of a celestial body.
Hyperbolic Trajectory: The path taken by an object that is moving away from a celestial body at a velocity greater than the escape velocity.
Parabolic Trajectory: The path taken by an object that is moving at exactly the escape velocity.
Retrograde Orbit: An orbit in which an object moves in the opposite direction to the rotation of the celestial body it is orbiting.
Prograde Orbit: An orbit in which an object moves in the same direction as the rotation of the celestial body it is orbiting.
"Normally, orbit refers to a regularly repeating trajectory, although it may also refer to a non-repeating trajectory."
"For most situations, orbital motion is adequately approximated by Newtonian mechanics, which explains gravity as a force obeying an inverse-square law."
"Planets and satellites follow elliptic orbits, with the center of mass being orbited at a focal point of the ellipse."
"...as described by Kepler's laws of planetary motion."
"For most situations, orbital motion is adequately approximated by Newtonian mechanics..."
"...which explains gravity as a force obeying an inverse-square law."
"Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity, which accounts for gravity as due to curvature of spacetime..."
"...with orbits following geodesics..."
"...provides a more accurate calculation and understanding of the exact mechanics of orbital motion."
"...the trajectory of a planet around a star, or of a natural satellite around a planet, or of an artificial satellite around an object or position in space such as a planet, moon, asteroid, or Lagrange point."
"Normally, orbit refers to a regularly repeating trajectory..."
"...although it may also refer to a non-repeating trajectory."
"...with the center of mass being orbited at a focal point of the ellipse..."
"Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity...provides a more accurate calculation and understanding of the exact mechanics of orbital motion."
"Newtonian mechanics, which explains gravity as a force obeying an inverse-square law."
"Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity, which accounts for gravity as due to curvature of spacetime..."
"...around an object or position in space such as a planet, moon, asteroid, or Lagrange point."
"...gravity as a force obeying an inverse-square law."
"For most situations, orbital motion is adequately approximated by Newtonian mechanics..."