Orbithöhe

Orbithöhe refers to the altitude of an object in orbit above a celestial body. This altitude is not constant in most orbits, as the orbit itself is typically elliptical rather than perfectly circular. Therefore, when discussing orbithöhe, it is important to distinguish between the apoapsis, the point in orbit furthest from the central body, and the periapsis, the point in orbit closest to the central body. The average orbithöhe can be calculated using the semi-major axis of the orbit.

Understanding orbithöhe is crucial in various fields, including astronomy, aerospace engineering, and satellite operations. For satellites, the orbithöhe determines factors such as orbital period, orbital velocity, and the area of coverage. Different altitudes are used for different purposes: low Earth orbit (LEO) is common for Earth observation and the International Space Station, while geostationary orbit (GEO) at a much higher altitude is used for telecommunications and weather satellites, appearing to remain fixed over a specific point on Earth.

The orbithöhe is directly related to the energy of the orbiting object. Higher orbits generally require more energy to achieve and maintain. Atmospheric drag, though negligible at very high altitudes, can also affect the orbithöhe of satellites in lower orbits, causing them to gradually lose altitude over time and eventually re-enter the atmosphere. Precise control of orbithöhe is a key aspect of mission planning and execution for any object in space.