Orbitální

Orbitální refers to anything related to an orbit, which is the curved path of a celestial object or spacecraft around a star, planet, or moon. This path is primarily determined by the gravitational influence of the larger body. For example, the Earth is in an orbit around the Sun, and the Moon is in an orbit around the Earth. Satellites are placed in orbit around Earth to provide services like communication or weather monitoring.

The shape of an orbit can vary. While often depicted as perfect circles, most orbits are elliptical, meaning they are slightly oval-shaped. The point in an orbit where an object is closest to the body it orbits is called periapsis, and the point farthest away is called apoapsis. For Earth orbits, these are specifically referred to as perigee (closest to Earth) and apogee (farthest from Earth). Similarly, for orbits around the Sun, they are perihelion and aphelion.

Understanding orbital mechanics is crucial for space exploration and the operation of satellites. Factors like velocity, gravitational pull, and the mass of the orbiting bodies all play a role in defining and maintaining an orbit. Deviations from an ideal orbit can occur due to the gravitational pull of other celestial bodies or atmospheric drag for objects in low Earth orbit.