Tagged Questions
12
votes
2answers
117 views
Does an elliptical orbit of a satellite maintain its orientation as the Earth revolves?
Imagine a satellite in an elliptical orbit around Earth. As the earth travels around the sun, does the elliptical orbit of the satellite swing around Earth, as pictured in A, or does it maintain a ...
-1
votes
1answer
62 views
Earth and Moon computer simulation [closed]
So I want to simulate the solar system but want to start simple with one orbiting body.
However, I never did anything like this before and was wondering if anyone here could give me some hints.
...
1
vote
1answer
53 views
Defining the star as the ellipse focus rather than the barycenter, what does the other focus do? [duplicate]
There are a lot of images and animations on the internet depicting two bodies orbiting around their common barycenter. The barycenter is defined as the (let's say right) focus of the ellipse.
If we ...
4
votes
1answer
68 views
Orbital mechanics and rocketry: Is it ever a good idea to intentionally lower periapsis?
tl;dr: Hohmann Transfer appears to be the optimal way to achieve a circular-to-circular orbit, but is it possible to lower the periapsis in order to achieve a more elliptical orbit with apoapsis at ...
1
vote
2answers
144 views
Semi-major axis and ellipticity of a binary system?
In the image below (source at bottom), it seems to be suggesting that
\begin{equation}
a = a_{1} + a_{2}, \hspace{8cm}(1)
\end{equation}
where $a_{1}$ and $a_{2}$ are the semi-major axis of the ...
1
vote
1answer
83 views
How do you actually define an orbit?
How do you actually define an orbit?
I believe, Newtonian Mechanics describes an orbit as one object in free fall around another where projectile paths become elliptical. I think, Einstein describes ...
1
vote
3answers
87 views
Condition for closed orbit [closed]
I'd like to know when an orbit is closed. I know that, to have a closed orbit, there is a ratio that must be a rational number, but I don't know other things..
2
votes
1answer
123 views
Can we transfer burn to another planet at any time?
Assume delta-v isn't a problem and circular orbits.
EDIT: Assume that you're already in orbit so you don't have to shift a massive load of fuel up, and the absolute ideal is something that has a ...
9
votes
3answers
462 views
Gravity in other dimensions than 3 and stable orbits
I have heard from here that stable orbits (ones that require a large amount of force to push it significantly out of it's elliptical path) can only exist in a three spatial dimensions because gravity ...
1
vote
2answers
220 views
What is geostationary orbit radius?
I'm asking this apparently "general reference" question for the simple reason: I was unable to find whether the quoted everywhere "35,786 kilometers (22,236 mi) above the Earth's equator" means ...
5
votes
1answer
85 views
Convert latitude of lowest altitude to argument of perigee?
I am designing an orbit around Mercury. I know the values I want for the semi-major axis, eccentricity, inclination, and RAAN. I want the altitude of closest approach (periapse) to occur at ...
42
votes
5answers
2k views
Is there a small enough planet or asteroid you can orbit by jumping?
I just had this idea of orbiting a planet just by jumping and then flying upon it on its orbit kind of like superman. So,
Would it be theoretically possible or is there a chance of that small body to ...
0
votes
1answer
80 views
What is the orbital motion where both foci are located at one point?
What is the orbital motion where both foci are located at one point? I know that an ellipse orbit is motion with two distinct foci.
1
vote
1answer
170 views
Result of increasing the radius of earth?
How can increasing the radius of earth may cause an impact on the solar system ? Like, would earth may start making a bigger orbit (due to increase in size and wait) or vice versa ? or else ?
PS: The ...
2
votes
1answer
505 views
Kepler Orbital Elements to Cartesian (xyz)
I'm not really sure if this is the place to ask this, but anyway here is my question:
Let's say I have the Kepler orbital elements of the ISS, for example, (NASA stuff). Now I want to compute the ...
6
votes
1answer
203 views
Is there a “map” of the interplanetary transport network?
To my understanding, the idea behind the interplanetary transport network is that areas near heavy objects and their Lagrange points are accesible with comparatively little energy, for example one ...
6
votes
3answers
1k views
What is the irregularity in Uranus' orbit that is caused by Neptune?
I carefully read the Wikipedia article Discovery of Neptune, and I don't get what the irregularity of Uranus orbit was that lead to the discovery of Neptune. Years ago, I watched some educational film ...
