A full size model of the Earth observation satellite ERS 2

In the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavor. Such objects are sometimes called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural satellites such as the Moon. A natural satellite or moon is a celestial body that orbits a planet or smaller body, which is called the primary. ... Satellite can refer to several ideas: an object that orbits another object, either a natural satellite or an artificial satellite. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1494x1445, 754 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Satellite Earth observation satellite European Remote-Sensing Satellite List of Earth observation satellites Metadata This file contains additional... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1494x1445, 754 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Satellite Earth observation satellite European Remote-Sensing Satellite List of Earth observation satellites Metadata This file contains additional... European Remote-Sensing satellite (ERS) was the European Space Agencys first Earth-observing satellite. ... ISS in earth orbit. ... Two bodies with a slight difference in mass orbiting around a common barycenter. ... A natural satellite or moon is a celestial body that orbits a planet or smaller body, which is called the primary. ... This article is about Earths moon. ...

History

Early conceptions

The first recorded fictional depiction of a satellite being launched into orbit is a short story by Edward Everett Hale, The Brick Moon. The story was serialized in The Atlantic Monthly, starting in 1869.^[1][2] The idea surfaces again in Jules Verne's The Begum's Millions (1879). This article is in need of attention. ... Statue of Edward Everett Hale in Boston Public Garden, by Bela Pratt. ... The Brick Moon is a short story by Edward Everett Hale, published serially in The Atlantic Monthly starting in 1869. ... The Atlantic redirects here; for the ocean, see Atlantic Ocean. ... This article is about the French author. ... The Begums Millions (in the original French Les Cinq cents millions de la Bégum) is a 1879 novel by Jules Verne, with some elements which could be described as utopian and others which seem clearly dystopian. ...

In 1903 Konstantin Tsiolkovsky (1857–1935) published Исследование мировых пространств реактивными приборами (The Exploration of Cosmic Space by Means of Reaction Devices), which is the first academic treatise on the use of rocketry to launch spacecraft. He calculated the orbital speed required for a minimal orbit around the Earth at 8 km/s, and that a multi-stage rocket fueled by liquid propellants could be used to achieve this. He proposed the use of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, though other combinations can be used. Konstantin Eduardovich Tsiolkovsky Konstantin Eduardovich Tsiolkovsky (Константин Эдуардович Циолковский, Konstanty CioÅ‚kowski) (September 5, 1857 new style – September 19, 1935) was a Russian and Soviet rocket scientist and pioneer of cosmonautics who spent most of his life in a log house on the outskirts of the Russian town of Kaluga. ... The Space Shuttle Discovery as seen from the International Space Station. ... The orbital speed of a body, generally a planet, a natural satellite, an artificial satellite, or a multiple star, is the speed at which it orbits around the barycenter of a system, usually around a more massive body. ... Two bodies with a slight difference in mass orbiting around a common barycenter. ... The second stage of a Minuteman III rocket // Description A multistage (or multi-stage) rocket is, like any rocket, propelled by the recoil pressure of the burning gases it emits as it burns fuel. ... A propellant is a material that is used to move an object by applying a motive force. ... Liquid hydrogen is the liquid state of the element hydrogen. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

In 1928 Herman Potočnik (1892–1929) published his sole book, Das Problem der Befahrung des Weltraums - der Raketen-Motor (The Problem of Space Travel — The Rocket Motor), a plan for a breakthrough into space and a permanent human presence there. He conceived of a space station in detail and calculated its geostationary orbit. He described the use of orbiting spacecraft for detailed peaceful and military observation of the ground and described how the special conditions of space could be useful for scientific experiments. The book described geostationary satellites (first put forward by Tsiolkovsky) and discussed communication between them and the ground using radio, but fell short of the idea of using satellites for mass broadcasting and as telecommunications relays. Herman Potočnik (pseudonym Hermann Noordung) (December 22, 1892 - August 27, 1929) was a Slovene rocket engineer and pioneer of cosmonautics (astronautics). ... Geostationary orbit A geostationary orbit (GEO) is a geosynchronous orbit directly above the Earths equator (0° latitude), with orbital eccentricity of zero. ...

In a 1945 Wireless World article the English science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke (1917-2008) described in detail the possible use of communications satellites for mass communications.^[3] Clarke examined the logistics of satellite launch, possible orbits and other aspects of the creation of a network of world-circling satellites, pointing to the benefits of high-speed global communications. He also suggested that three geostationary satellites would provide coverage over the entire planet. Wireless World was the preeminent British magazine for radio and electronics enthusiasts. ... Sir Arthur Charles Clarke, CBE, Sri Lankabhimanya (16 December 1917 – 19 March 2008) was a British (lived in Sri Lanka since 1956) science fiction author, inventor, and futurist, most famous for the novel 2001: A Space Odyssey, written in collaboration with director Stanley Kubrick, a collaboration which led also to... U.S. military MILSTAR communications satellite A communications satellite (sometimes abbreviated to comsat) is an artificial satellite stationed in space for the purposes of telecommunications. ... ... A geostationary orbit (abbreviated GEO) is a circular orbit in the Earths equatorial plane, any point on which revolves about the Earth in the same direction and with the same period as the Earths rotation. ...

History of artificial satellites

Main article: Timeline of artificial satellites and space probes

See also: Space Race

The first artificial satellite was Sputnik 1, launched by the Soviet Union on 4 October 1957, and that started the whole Soviet Sputnik program, with Sergei Korolev as chief designer. This triggered the Space Race between the Soviet Union and the United States. Timeline of artificial satellites and space probes // Key: Year - Origin - Target - Status - Description 1957 - Soviet Union - Earth - Success - Sputnik 1 is launched, the first Earth orbiting satellite 1957 - Soviet Union - Earth - Partial success - Sputnik 2 is launched, the first Earth orbiting satellite with an animal (Laika) 1958 - USA - Earth - Success... For a list of key events, see Timeline of space exploration. ... Sputnik 1 (Russian: , Satellite-1, or literally Co-traveler-1 byname ПС-1 (PS-1, i. ... is the 277th day of the year (278th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... Soviet redirects here. ... Sputnik redirects here. ... Sergei Pavlovich Korolev (Серге́й Па́влович Королёв) (December 30, 1906– January 14, 1966) was the head Soviet rocket engineer and designer during the space race, known only as the chief designer during his lifetime. ... For a list of key events, see Timeline of space exploration. ...

Sputnik 1 helped to identify the density of high atmospheric layers through measurement of its orbital change and provided data on radio-signal distribution in the ionosphere. Because the satellite's body was filled with pressurized nitrogen, Sputnik 1 also provided the first opportunity for meteoroid detection, as a loss of internal pressure due to meteoroid penetration of the outer surface would have been evident in the temperature data sent back to Earth. The unanticipated announcement of Sputnik 1's success precipitated the Sputnik crisis in the United States and ignited the so-called Space Race within the Cold War. Air redirects here. ... Relationship of the atmosphere and ionosphere The ionosphere is the uppermost part of the atmosphere, distinguished because it is ionized by solar radiation. ... General Name, symbol, number nitrogen, N, 7 Chemical series nonmetals Group, period, block 15, 2, p Appearance colorless gas Standard atomic weight 14. ... Meteor redirects here. ... Sputnik 1 The Sputnik crisis was a turn point of the Cold War that began on October 4, 1957 when the Soviet Union launched the Sputnik 1 satellite. ... For a list of key events, see Timeline of space exploration. ... For other uses, see Cold War (disambiguation). ...

Sputnik 2 was launched on November 3, 1957 and carried the first living passenger into orbit, a dog named Laika.^[4] Sputnik 2 (Russian: , Satellite 2) was the second spacecraft launched into Earth orbit, on November 3, 1957, and the first to carry a living animal - a dog named Laika. ... is the 307th day of the year (308th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... Trinomial name Canis lupus familiaris The dog (Canis lupus familiaris) is a domestic subspecies of the wolf, a mammal of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. ... For other uses, see Laika (disambiguation). ...

In May, 1946, Project RAND had released the Preliminary Design of an Experimental World-Circling Spaceship, which stated, "A satellite vehicle with appropriate instrumentation can be expected to be one of the most potent scientific tools of the Twentieth Century.^[5] The United States had been considering launching orbital satellites since 1945 under the Bureau of Aeronautics of the United States Navy. The United States Air Force's Project RAND eventually released the above report, but did not believe that the satellite was a potential military weapon; rather, they considered it to be a tool for science, politics, and propaganda. In 1954, the Secretary of Defense stated, "I know of no American satellite program." Alternate meanings: See RAND (disambiguation) The RAND Corporation is an American think tank first formed to offer research and analysis to the U.S. military. ... The Preliminary Design of an Experimental World-Circling Spaceship was a 1946 proposal, by Project RAND, for a United States satellite program. ... Two bodies with a slight difference in mass orbiting around a common barycenter. ... The Bureau of Aeronautics (BuAer) was the U.S. Navys material-support organization for Naval Aviation from 1921 to 1959. ... USN redirects here. ... USAF redirects here. ...

On July 29, 1955, the White House announced that the U.S. intended to launch satellites by the spring of 1958. This became known as Project Vanguard. On July 31, the Soviets announced that they intended to launch a satellite by the fall of 1957. is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar). ... For other uses, see White House (disambiguation). ... Vanguard Rocket Project Vanguard was a program managed by the United States Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), which intended to launch the first artificial satellite into Earth orbit using a Vanguard rocket as the launch vehicle. ... is the 212th day of the year (213th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Following pressure by the American Rocket Society, the National Science Foundation, and the International Geophysical Year, military interest picked up and in early 1955 the Air Force and Navy were working on Project Orbiter, which involved using a Jupiter C rocket to launch a satellite. The project succeeded, and Explorer 1 became the United States' first satellite on January 31, 1958.^[6] The American Rocket Society began life on April 4, 1930, under the name American Interplanetary Society. ... The logo of the National Science Foundation The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent United States government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. ... The International Geophysical Year or IGY was an international scientific effort that lasted from July 1, 1957, to December 31, 1958. ... Project Orbiter was a proposed spacecraft, an early competitor to Project Vanguard. ... The Jupiter-C Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) was designed by the Army Ballistic Missile Agency (ABMA) The vehicle consists of a modified Redstone ballistic missile with three solid-propellant upper stages. ... Explorer-I, officially known as Satellite 1958 Alpha, was the first United States Earth satellite and was sent aloft as part of the United States program for the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958. ... is the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Jan. ...

The largest artificial satellite currently orbiting the Earth is the International Space Station. ISS redirects here. ...

Space Surveillance Network

The United States Space Surveillance Network (SSN) has been tracking space objects since 1957 when the Soviets opened the space age with the launch of Sputnik I. Since then, the SSN has tracked more than 26,000 space objects orbiting Earth. The SSN currently tracks more than 8,000 man-made orbiting objects. The rest have re-entered Earth's turbulent atmosphere and disintegrated, or survived re-entry and impacted the Earth. The space objects now orbiting Earth range from satellites weighing several tons to pieces of spent rocket bodies weighing only 10 pounds. About seven percent of the space objects are operational satellites (i.e. ~560 satellites), the rest are space debris.^[7] USSTRATCOM is primarily interested in the active satellites, but also tracks space debris which upon reentry might otherwise be mistaken for incoming missiles. The SSN tracks space objects that are 10 centimeters in diameter (baseball size) or larger. // Space surveillance is a critical part of United States Strategic Commands (USSTRATCOM) mission and involves detecting, tracking, cataloging and identifying man-made objects orbiting Earth, i. ... Space debris or orbital debris, also called space junk and space waste, are the objects in orbit around Earth created by man that no longer serve any useful purpose. ... United States Strategic Command is one of the unified commands of the United States Department of Defense which controls the nuclear weapons assets of the United States military. ...

Non-Military Satellite Services

There are three basic categories of non-military satellite services:^[8]

Fixed Satellite Service

Fixed satellite services handle hundreds of billions of voice, data, and video transmission tasks across all countries and continents between certain points on the earth’s surface

Mobile Satellite Systems

Mobile satellite systems help connect remote regions, vehicles, ships and aircraft to other parts of the world and/or other mobile or stationary communications units, in addition to serving as navigation systems

Scientific Research Satellite (commercial and noncommercial)

Scientific research satellites provide us with meteorological information, land survey data (e.g., remote sensing), and other different scientific research applications such as earth science, marine science, and atmospheric research.

Types

MILSTAR: A communication satellite

• Astronomical satellites are satellites used for observation of distant planets, galaxies, and other outer space objects.
• Biosatellites are satellites designed to carry living organisms, generally for scientific experimentation.
• Communications satellites are satellites stationed in space for the purpose of telecommunications. Modern communications satellites typically use geosynchronous orbits, Molniya orbits or Low Earth orbits.
• Miniaturized satellites are satellites of unusually low weights and small sizes.^[9] New classifications are used to categorize these satellites: minisatellite (500–200 kg), microsatellite (below 200 kg), nanosatellite (below 10 kg).
• Navigational satellites are satellites which use radio time signals transmitted to enable mobile receivers on the ground to determine their exact location. The relatively clear line of sight between the satellites and receivers on the ground, combined with ever-improving electronics, allows satellite navigation systems to measure location to accuracies on the order of a few meters in real time.
• Reconnaissance satellites are Earth observation satellite or communications satellite deployed for military or intelligence applications. Little is known about the full power of these satellites, as governments who operate them usually keep information pertaining to their reconnaissance satellites classified.
• Earth observation satellites are satellites intended for non-military uses such as environmental monitoring, meteorology, map making etc. (See especially Earth Observing System.)
• 'Space stations are man-made structures that are designed for human beings to live on in outer space. A space station is distinguished from other manned spacecraft by its lack of major propulsion or landing facilities — instead, other vehicles are used as transport to and from the station. Space stations are designed for medium-term living in orbit, for periods of weeks, months, or even years.
• Tether satellites are satellites which are connected to another satellite by a thin cable called a tether.
• Weather satellites are primarily used to monitor Earth's weather and climate.^[10]

File links The following pages link to this file: Communications satellite Military Strategic and Tactical Relay satellite Categories: United States government images ... File links The following pages link to this file: Communications satellite Military Strategic and Tactical Relay satellite Categories: United States government images ... MILSTAR satellite. ... A space observatory is any object in outer space which is used for observation of distant planets, galaxies, and other outer space objects. ... A biosatellite is an artificial satellite designed to carry life in space. ... U.S. military MILSTAR communications satellite A communications satellite (sometimes abbreviated to comsat) is an artificial satellite stationed in space for the purposes of telecommunications. ... Telecommunication involves the transmission of signals over a distance for the purpose of communication. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with geostationary orbit. ... Molniya orbit is a class of a highly elliptic orbit with inclination of +/-63. ... A low Earth orbit (LEO) is an orbit in which objects such as satellites are below intermediate circular orbit (ICO) and far below geostationary orbit, but typically around 350 - 1400 km above the Earths surface. ... Miniaturized satellites are recent artificial satellites of unusually low weights and small sizes, new classifications are used to categorieze these satellites. ... For the global navigation satellite system operated by Russia, see GLONASS. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is the standard generic term for satellite navigation systems that provide autonomous geo-spatial positioning with global coverage. ... A spy satellite (officially referred to as a reconnaissance satellite or recon sat) is an Earth observation satellite or communications satellite deployed for military or intelligence applications. ... Earth observation satellites are satellites specifically designed to observe Earth from orbit, similar to reconnaissance satellites but intended for non-military uses such as environmental monitoring, meteorology, map making etc. ... U.S. military MILSTAR communications satellite A communications satellite (sometimes abbreviated to comsat) is an artificial satellite stationed in space for the purposes of telecommunications. ... Spy and Secret agent redirect here. ... Earth observation satellites are satellites specifically designed to observe Earth from orbit, similar to reconnaissance satellites but intended for non-military uses such as environmental monitoring, meteorology, map making etc. ... This article is about the natural environment. ... // Meteorology (from Greek: μετέωρον, meteoron, high in the sky; and λόγος, logos, knowledge) is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the atmosphere that focuses on weather processes and forecasting. ... Cartography or mapmaking (in Greek chartis = map and graphein = write) is the study and practice of making maps or globes. ... The Earth Observing System (EOS) is a program of NASA comprising a series of artificial satellite missions and scientific instruments in Earth orbit designed for long-term global observations of the land surface, biosphere, atmosphere, and oceans of the Earth. ... The International Space Station in 2007 A space station is an artificial structure designed for humans to live in outer space. ... This article is about modern humans. ... Layers of Atmosphere - not to scale (NOAA)[1] Outer space, sometimes simply called space, refers to the relatively empty regions of the universe outside the atmospheres of celestial bodies. ... The Space Shuttle Discovery as seen from the International Space Station. ... A remote camera captures a close-up view of a Space Shuttle Main Engine during a test firing at the John C. Stennis Space Center in Hancock County, Mississippi Spacecraft propulsion is any method used to change the velocity of spacecraft and artificial satellites. ... MyTravel Airways Airbus A320 landing Landing is the last part of a flight, where a flying animal or aircraft returns to the ground. ... Two bodies with a slight difference in mass orbiting around a common barycenter. ... For more details on each day of the week, see days of the week. ... Look up Month in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A year (from Old English gÄ“r) is the time between two recurrences of an event related to the orbit of the Earth around the Sun. ... The Space Tether idea started as just a thought during the late 1800’s then progressed to lofty ideas in the 60’s that forced NASA to step in and put control on the field in the 70’s. ... A tether is a cord that anchors something, such as an animal, to something else, such as a pole. ... GOES-8, a United States weather satellite. ... This article is about Earth as a planet. ... For the geological process, see Weathering or Erosion. ...

Orbit types

Main article: List of orbits

Various earth orbits to scale; cyan represents low earth orbit, yellow represents medium earth orbit, the black dashed line represents geosynchronous orbit, the green dash-dot line the orbit of Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites, and the red dotted line the orbit of the International Space Station (ISS).

The first satellite, Sputnik 1, was put into orbit around Earth and was therefore in geocentric orbit. By far this is the most common type of orbit with approximately 2456 artificial satellites orbiting the Earth. Geocentric orbits may be further classified by their altitude, inclination and eccentricity. The following is a list of types of orbits: // Box orbit Circular orbit Ecliptic orbit Elliptic orbit Highly Elliptical Orbit Graveyard orbit Hohmann transfer orbit Hyperbolic trajectory Inclined orbit Osculating orbit Parabolic trajectory Capture orbit Escape orbit Semi-synchronous orbit Subsynchronous orbit Synchronous orbit Geocentric orbit Geosynchronous orbit Geostationary orbit... GPS redirects here. ... ISS redirects here. ... Sputnik 1 (Russian: , Satellite-1, or literally Co-traveler-1 byname ПС-1 (PS-1, i. ... This article is about Earth as a planet. ... Geocentric orbit refers to the orbit of any object orbiting the Earth, such as the Moon or artificial satellites. ... This article is about Earth as a planet. ... Altitude is the elevation of an object from a known level or datum. ... For the science fiction novella by William Shunn, see Inclination (novella). ... (This page refers to eccitricity in astrodynamics. ...

The commonly used altitude classifications are Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and High Earth Orbit (HEO). Low Earth orbit is any orbit below 2000 km, and Medium Earth Orbit is any orbit higher than that but still below the altitude for geosynchronous orbit at 35786 km. High Earth Orbit is any orbit higher than the altitude for geosynchronous orbit. A low Earth orbit (LEO) is an orbit in which objects such as satellites are below intermediate circular orbit (ICO) and far below geostationary orbit, but typically around 350 - 1400 km above the Earths surface. ... Intermediate circular orbit (ICO), also called medium earth orbit (MEO), is used by satellites between the altitudes of low earth orbit (up to 1400 km) and geostationary orbit (ca. ... A High Earth Orbit is a geocentric orbit whose apogee lies above that of a geosynchronous orbit (35,786 km)[1]. Highly Elliptical Orbits are generally considered to be a subset of High Earth Orbits. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with geostationary orbit. ...

Centric classifications

• Galactocentric orbit: An orbit about the center of a galaxy. Earth's sun follows this type of orbit about the galactic center of the Milky Way.
• Heliocentric orbit: An orbit around the Sun. In our Solar System, all planets, comets, and asteroids are in such orbits, as are many artificial satellites and pieces of space debris. Moons by contrast are not in a heliocentric orbit but rather orbit their parent planet.
• Geocentric orbit: An orbit around the planet Earth, such as the Moon or artificial satellites. Currently there are approximately 2465 artificial satellites orbiting the Earth.
• Areocentric orbit: An orbit around the planet Mars, such as moons or artificial satellites.

For the series of books, see Galactic Center Saga. ... For other uses, see Galaxy (disambiguation). ... This article is about Earth as a planet. ... Sol redirects here. ... For the series of books, see Galactic Center Saga. ... For other uses, see Milky Way (disambiguation). ... A heliocentric orbit is an orbit around the sun. ... Two bodies with a slight difference in mass orbiting around a common barycenter. ... Sol redirects here. ... This article is about the Solar System. ... A planet (from the Greek πλανήτης, planetes or wanderers) is a body of considerable mass that orbits a star and that produces very little or no energy through nuclear fusion. ... Comet Hale-Bopp, showing a white dust tail and blue gas tail (February 1997) A comet is a small astronomical object similar to an asteroid but composed largely of ice. ... Asteroids is a popular vector-based video arcade game released in 1979 by Atari. ... Space debris or orbital debris, also called space junk and space waste, are the objects in orbit around Earth created by man that no longer serve any useful purpose. ... The common noun moon (not capitalized) is used to mean any natural satellite of the other planets. ... A heliocentric orbit is an orbit around the sun. ... Geocentric orbit refers to the orbit of any object orbiting the Earth, such as the Moon or artificial satellites. ... This article is about Earth as a planet. ... This article is about Earths moon. ... For other uses, please see Satellite (disambiguation) A satellite is an object that orbits another object (known as its primary). ... This article is about Earth as a planet. ... An orbit is an object that rotates around a normally, larger object BTW, Kerwin Abinoka is a wannabe prefect for Partician Brothers in Blacktown. ... Adjectives: Martian Atmosphere Surface pressure: 0. ... Orbits of Phobos and Deimos (to scale), seen from above Mars north pole The size of Phobos and Deimos contrasted with a hemisphere of Mars (1 pixel = ~10km). ... For other uses, please see Satellite (disambiguation) A satellite is an object that orbits another object (known as its primary). ...

Altitude classifications

• Low Earth Orbit (LEO): Geocentric orbits ranging in altitude from 0–2000 km (0–1240 miles)
• Medium Earth Orbit (MEO): Geocentric orbits ranging in altitude from 2000 km (1240 miles) to just below geosynchronous orbit at 35786 km (22240 miles). Also known as an intermediate circular orbit.
• High Earth Orbit (HEO): Geocentric orbits above the altitude of geosynchronous orbit 35786 km (22240 miles).

A low Earth orbit (LEO) is an orbit in which objects such as satellites are below intermediate circular orbit (ICO) and far below geostationary orbit, but typically around 350 - 1400 km above the Earths surface. ... Geocentric orbit refers to the orbit of any object orbiting the Earth, such as the Moon or artificial satellites. ... KM, Km, or km may stand for: Khmer language (ISO 639 alpha-2, km) Kilometre Kinemantra Meditation Knowledge management KM programming language KM Culture, Korean Movie Maker. ... “Miles” redirects here. ... Intermediate circular orbit (ICO), also called medium earth orbit (MEO), is used by satellites between the altitudes of low earth orbit (up to 1400 km) and geostationary orbit (ca. ... Geocentric orbit refers to the orbit of any object orbiting the Earth, such as the Moon or artificial satellites. ... KM, Km, or km may stand for: Khmer language (ISO 639 alpha-2, km) Kilometre Kinemantra Meditation Knowledge management KM programming language KM Culture, Korean Movie Maker. ... “Miles” redirects here. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with geostationary orbit. ... KM, Km, or km may stand for: Khmer language (ISO 639 alpha-2, km) Kilometre Kinemantra Meditation Knowledge management KM programming language KM Culture, Korean Movie Maker. ... “Miles” redirects here. ... Intermediate circular orbit (ICO), also called medium earth orbit (MEO), is used by satellites between the altitudes of low earth orbit (up to 1400 km) and geostationary orbit (ca. ... A High Earth Orbit is a geocentric orbit whose apogee lies above that of a geosynchronous orbit (35,786 km)[1]. Highly Elliptical Orbits are generally considered to be a subset of High Earth Orbits. ... Geocentric orbit refers to the orbit of any object orbiting the Earth, such as the Moon or artificial satellites. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with geostationary orbit. ... KM, Km, or km may stand for: Khmer language (ISO 639 alpha-2, km) Kilometre Kinemantra Meditation Knowledge management KM programming language KM Culture, Korean Movie Maker. ... “Miles” redirects here. ...

Inclination classifications

• Inclined orbit: An orbit whose inclination in reference to the equatorial plane is not zero degrees.
  • Polar orbit: An orbit that passes above or nearly above both poles of the planet on each revolution. Therefore it has an inclination of (or very close to) 90 degrees.
  • Polar sun synchronous orbit: A nearly polar orbit that passes the equator at the same local time on every pass. Useful for image taking satellites because shadows will be nearly the same on every pass.

A geostationary orbit occurs when an object (satellite) is placed 37,000 km (22,300 miles) above the Earths equator with the characteristic that, from a fixed observation point on the Earths surface, it appears motionless. ... For the science fiction novella by William Shunn, see Inclination (novella). ... In astronomy and navigation, the celestial sphere is an imaginary rotating sphere of gigantic radius, concentric with the Earth. ... A polar orbit is an orbit in which a satellite passes above or nearly above both poles of the planet orbiting on each revolution. ... Two bodies with a slight difference in mass orbiting around a common barycenter. ... For the science fiction novella by William Shunn, see Inclination (novella). ... This article describes the unit of angle. ... By analogy with the geosynchronous orbit, a heliosynchronous orbit is a heliocentric orbit of radius 24. ... A polar orbit is an orbit in which a satellite passes above or nearly above both poles of the planet orbiting on each revolution. ... World map showing the equator in red For other uses, see Equator (disambiguation). ... Look up image in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Shadows on pavement A shadow is a region of darkness where light is blocked. ...

Eccentricity classifications

• Circular orbit: An orbit that has an eccentricity of 0 and whose path traces a circle.
  • Hohmann transfer orbit: An orbital maneuver that moves a spacecraft from one circular orbit to another using two engine impulses. This maneuver was named after Walter Hohmann.
• Elliptic orbit: An orbit with an eccentricity greater than 0 and less than 1 whose orbit traces the path of an ellipse.
  • Geosynchronous transfer orbit: An elliptic orbit where the perigee is at the altitude of a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and the apogee at the altitude of a geosynchronous orbit.
  • Geostationary transfer orbit: An elliptic orbit where the perigee is at the altitude of a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and the apogee at the altitude of a geostationary orbit.
  • Molniya orbit: A highly elliptic orbit with inclination of 63.4° and orbital period of half of a sidereal day (roughly 12 hours). Such a satellite spends most of its time over a designated area of the planet.
  • Tundra orbit: A highly elliptic orbit with inclination of 63.4° and orbital period of one sidereal day (roughly 24 hours). Such a satellite spends most of its time over a designated area of the planet.
• Hyperbolic orbit: An orbit with the eccentricity greater than 1. Such an orbit also has a velocity in excess of the escape velocity and as such, will escape the gravitational pull of the planet and continue to travel infinitely.
• Parabolic orbit: An orbit with the eccentricity equal to 1. Such an orbit also has a velocity equal to the escape velocity and therefore will escape the gravitational pull of the planet and travel until its velocity relative to the planet is 0. If the speed of such an orbit is increased it will become a hyperbolic orbit.
  • Escape orbit (EO): A high-speed parabolic orbit where the object has escape velocity and is moving away from the planet.
  • Capture orbit: A high-speed parabolic orbit where the object has escape velocity and is moving toward the planet.

In astrodynamics or celestial mechanics a circular orbit is an elliptic orbit with the eccentricity equal to 0. ... Two bodies with a slight difference in mass orbiting around a common barycenter. ... (This page refers to eccitricity in astrodynamics. ... This article is about the shape and mathematical concept of circle. ... In astronautics and aerospace engineering, the Hohmann transfer orbit is an orbital maneuver that, under standard assumption, moves a spacecraft from one circular orbit to another using two engine impulses. ... The Space Shuttle Discovery as seen from the International Space Station. ... In astrodynamics or celestial mechanics a circular orbit is an elliptic orbit with the eccentricity equal to 0. ... For other uses, see Impulse (disambiguation). ... Walter Hohmann (March 18, 1880 - March 11, 1945) was a German engineer who made an important contribution to the understanding of orbital dynamics. ... Two bodies with similar mass orbiting around a common barycenter with elliptic orbits. ... Two bodies with a slight difference in mass orbiting around a common barycenter. ... (This page refers to eccitricity in astrodynamics. ... For other uses, see Ellipse (disambiguation). ... A geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) is a Hohmann transfer orbit around the Earth between a low Earth orbit (LEO) and a geostationary orbit (GEO). ... Two bodies with similar mass orbiting around a common barycenter with elliptic orbits. ... Perigee is the point at which an object in orbit around the Earth makes its closest approach to the Earth. ... Altitude is the elevation of an object from a known level or datum. ... A low Earth orbit (LEO) is an orbit in which objects such as satellites are below intermediate circular orbit (ICO) and far below geostationary orbit, but typically around 350 - 1400 km above the Earths surface. ... This article is about several astronomical terms (apogee & perigee, aphelion & perihelion, generic equivalents based on apsis, and related but rarer terms. ... Altitude is the elevation of an object from a known level or datum. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with geostationary orbit. ... A geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) is a Hohmann transfer orbit around the Earth between a low Earth orbit (LEO) and a geostationary orbit (GEO). ... Two bodies with similar mass orbiting around a common barycenter with elliptic orbits. ... Perigee is the point at which an object in orbit around the Earth makes its closest approach to the Earth. ... Altitude is the elevation of an object from a known level or datum. ... A low Earth orbit (LEO) is an orbit in which objects such as satellites are below intermediate circular orbit (ICO) and far below geostationary orbit, but typically around 350 - 1400 km above the Earths surface. ... This article is about several astronomical terms (apogee & perigee, aphelion & perihelion, generic equivalents based on apsis, and related but rarer terms. ... Altitude is the elevation of an object from a known level or datum. ... Geostationary orbit A geostationary orbit (GEO) is a geosynchronous orbit directly above the Earths equator (0° latitude), with orbital eccentricity of zero. ... Molniya orbit is a class of a highly elliptic orbit with inclination of +/-63. ... Two bodies with similar mass orbiting around a common barycenter with elliptic orbits. ... For the science fiction novella by William Shunn, see Inclination (novella). ... The orbital period is the time it takes a planet (or another object) to make one full orbit. ... On a prograde planet like the Earth, the sidereal day is shorter than the solar day. ... This article is about the astronomical term. ... Tundra orbit is a class of a highly elliptic orbit with inclination of 63. ... Two bodies with similar mass orbiting around a common barycenter with elliptic orbits. ... For the science fiction novella by William Shunn, see Inclination (novella). ... The orbital period is the time it takes a planet (or another object) to make one full orbit. ... On a prograde planet like the Earth, the sidereal day is shorter than the solar day. ... This article is about the astronomical term. ... In astrodynamics or celestial mechanics a hyperbolic trajectory is an orbit with the eccentricity greater than 1. ... Two bodies with a slight difference in mass orbiting around a common barycenter. ... This article is about velocity in physics. ... Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on mission STS-71. ... This article is about the astronomical term. ... Infinity is a word carrying a number of different meanings in mathematics, philosophy, theology and everyday life. ... In astrodynamics or celestial mechanics a parabolic trajectory is an orbit with the eccentricity equal to 1. ... Two bodies with a slight difference in mass orbiting around a common barycenter. ... This article is about velocity in physics. ... Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on mission STS-71. ... This article is about the astronomical term. ... This article is about velocity in physics. ... Look up kinematics in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article is about the astronomical term. ... In astrodynamics or celestial mechanics a hyperbolic trajectory is an orbit with the eccentricity greater than 1. ... An escape orbit (also known as C3 = 0 orbit) is the high-energy parabolic orbit around the central body. ... In astrodynamics or celestial mechanics a parabolic trajectory is an orbit with the eccentricity equal to 1. ... Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on mission STS-71. ... This article is about the astronomical term. ... A capture orbit is the high-energy parabolic orbit that allows the capture other than crashing directly to the central bodys surface (or atmospheric re_entry). ... In astrodynamics or celestial mechanics a parabolic trajectory is an orbit with the eccentricity equal to 1. ... Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on mission STS-71. ... This article is about the astronomical term. ...

Synchronous classifications

• Synchronous orbit: An orbit where the satellite has an orbital period equal to the average rotational period (earth's is: 23 hours, 56 minutes, 4,091 seconds) of the body being orbited and in the same direction of rotation as that body. To a ground observer such a satellite would trace an analemma (figure 8) in the sky.
• Semi-synchronous orbit (SSO): An orbit with an altitude of approximately 20200 km (12544.2 miles) and an orbital period of approximately 12 hours
• Geosynchronous orbit (GEO): Orbits with an altitude of approximately 35786 km (22240 miles). Such a satellite would trace an analemma (figure 8) in the sky.
  • Geostationary orbit (GSO): A geosynchronous orbit with an inclination of zero. To an observer on the ground this satellite would appear as a fixed point in the sky.^[11]
    • Clarke orbit: Another name for a geostationary orbit. Named after the writer Arthur C. Clarke.
  • Supersynchronous orbit: A disposal / storage orbit above GSO/GEO. Satellites will drift west. Also a synonym for Disposal orbit.
  • Subsynchronous orbit: A drift orbit close to but below GSO/GEO. Satellites will drift east.
  • Graveyard orbit: An orbit a few hundred kilometers above geosynchronous that satellites are moved into at the end of their operation.
    • Disposal orbit: A synonym for graveyard orbit.
    • Junk orbit: A synonym for graveyard orbit.
• Areosynchronous orbit: A synchronous orbit around the planet Mars with an orbital period equal in length to Mars' sidereal day, 24,6229 hours.
• Areostationary orbit (ASO): A circular areosynchronous orbit on the equatorial plane and about 17000 km(10557 miles) above the surface. To an observer on the ground this satellite would appear as a fixed point in the sky.
• Heliosynchronous orbit: An heliocentric orbit about the Sun where the satellite's orbital period matches the Sun's period of rotation. These orbits occur at a radius of 24,360 Gm (0,1628 AU) around the Sun, a little less than half of the orbital radius of Mercury.

A synchronous orbit is an orbit in which an orbiting body (usually a satellite) has a period equal to the average rotational period of the body being orbited (usually a planet), and in the same direction of rotation as that body. ... The orbital period is the time it takes a planet (or another object) to make one full orbit. ... In astronomy, a rotation period is the time an astronomical object takes to complete one revolution around its rotation axis. ... The hour (symbol: h) is a unit of time. ... This article is about the unit of time, angle and right ascension. ... This article is about the unit of time. ... Theoretical rendering of the analemma, looking east in the northern hemisphere. ... Semi-Synchronous Orbit (SSO): An orbit with approximately a 12-hour period. ... Two bodies with a slight difference in mass orbiting around a common barycenter. ... Altitude is the elevation of an object from a known level or datum. ... The orbital period is the time it takes a planet (or another object) to make one full orbit. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with geostationary orbit. ... Theoretical rendering of the analemma, looking east in the northern hemisphere. ... Geostationary orbit A geostationary orbit (GEO) is a geosynchronous orbit directly above the Earths equator (0° latitude), with orbital eccentricity of zero. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with geostationary orbit. ... For the science fiction novella by William Shunn, see Inclination (novella). ... A geostationary orbit (abbreviated GEO) is a circular orbit in the Earths equatorial plane, any point on which revolves about the Earth in the same direction and with the same period as the Earths rotation. ... Geostationary orbit A geostationary orbit (GEO) is a geosynchronous orbit directly above the Earths equator (0° latitude), with orbital eccentricity of zero. ... Sir Arthur Charles Clarke, CBE, Sri Lankabhimanya (16 December 1917 – 19 March 2008) was a British (lived in Sri Lanka since 1956) science fiction author, inventor, and futurist, most famous for the novel 2001: A Space Odyssey, written in collaboration with director Stanley Kubrick, a collaboration which led also to... Super synchronous orbit is very similar to synchronous orbit, except that the satellite moves slowly west due to its distance from the Earth. ... Synonyms (in ancient Greek, συν (syn) = plus and όνομα (onoma) = name) are different words with similar or identical meanings. ... Unsurprisingly similar to synchronous orbit, this orbit is at a slightly different distance from the Earth, resulting in the satellite drifting slowly eastward. ... A graveyard orbit is an orbit where spacecraft are intentionally placed at the end of their operational life. ... A geosynchronous orbit is a geocentric orbit that has the same orbital period as the sidereal rotation period of the Earth. ... A graveyard orbit is an orbit where spacecraft are intentionally placed at the end of their operational life. ... Synonyms (in ancient Greek, συν (syn) = plus and όνομα (onoma) = name) are different words with similar or identical meanings. ... A graveyard orbit is an orbit where spacecraft are intentionally placed at the end of their operational life. ... A graveyard orbit is an orbit where spacecraft are intentionally placed at the end of their operational life. ... Synonyms (in ancient Greek, συν (syn) = plus and όνομα (onoma) = name) are different words with similar or identical meanings. ... A graveyard orbit is an orbit where spacecraft are intentionally placed at the end of their operational life. ... Areosynchronous orbits are class of synchronous orbits for artificial satellites around the planet Mars. ... A synchronous orbit is an orbit in which an orbiting body (usually a satellite) has a period equal to the average rotational period of the body being orbited (usually a planet), and in the same direction of rotation as that body. ... Adjectives: Martian Atmosphere Surface pressure: 0. ... The orbital period is the time it takes a planet (or another object) to make one full orbit. ... On a prograde planet like the Earth, the sidereal day is shorter than the solar day. ... Hours is the name of the critically acclaimed second album by Welsh rock group Funeral for a Friend. ... An areostationary orbit (abbreviated ASO) is a circular areo­synchronous orbit in the Martian equatorial plane 11,000 km above the surface, any point on which revolves about Mars in the same direction and with the same period as the Martian surface. ... A circular may be: the adjective form of circle an advertisement which is circulated a Pastoral letter, Encyclic, or Papal bull that is circulated between churches a circular argument is a term for a type of logical fallacy where the very thing that is trying to be proved is assumed... Areosynchronous orbits are class of synchronous orbits for artificial satellites around the planet Mars. ... In astronomy and navigation, the celestial sphere is an imaginary rotating sphere of gigantic radius, concentric with the Earth. ... KM, Km, or km may stand for: Khmer language (ISO 639 alpha-2, km) Kilometre Kinemantra Meditation Knowledge management KM programming language KM Culture, Korean Movie Maker. ... “Miles” redirects here. ... By analogy with the geosynchronous orbit, a heliosynchronous orbit is a heliocentric orbit of radius 24. ... A heliocentric orbit is an orbit around the sun. ... Sol redirects here. ... The orbital period is the time it takes a planet (or another object) to make one full