Orbitalförändringar

Orbitalförändringar refers to changes in the orbit of a celestial body. These changes can be caused by various factors, including gravitational influences from other celestial bodies, non-gravitational forces such as atmospheric drag or solar radiation pressure, and internal processes within the orbiting body itself.

In the context of Earth's orbit, orbitalförändringar are often discussed in relation to Milankovitch cycles. These are long-term, cyclical variations in Earth's orbit and axial tilt that are believed to influence Earth's climate over geological timescales. The three main orbital parameters that vary are eccentricity (the shape of Earth's orbit), axial tilt (obliquity), and precession (the wobble of Earth's axis). Changes in these parameters affect the amount and distribution of solar radiation received by Earth, leading to periods of glaciation and interglacial warming.

For artificial satellites, orbitalförändringar can be intentional or unintentional. Intentional changes are made through orbital maneuvers to adjust the satellite's altitude, inclination, or shape of its orbit. Unintentional changes are typically due to factors like atmospheric drag, which causes satellites in low Earth orbit to gradually lose altitude and re-enter the atmosphere, or gravitational perturbations from the Moon and Sun. Understanding and predicting these orbitalförändringar is crucial for maintaining satellite trajectories, planning space missions, and mitigating the risk of collisions in orbit.