This is a list of types of gravitational orbit classified by various characteristics.
Orbit | Name |
---|---|
GEO | Geostationary orbit |
LEO | Low Earth orbit |
MEO | Medium Earth orbit |
SSO | Sun-synchronous orbit |
Orbit | Name |
---|---|
GSO | Geosynchronous orbit |
GTO | Geostationary transfer orbit |
HCO | Heliocentric orbit |
HEO | Highly elliptical orbit |
NRHO | Near-rectilinear halo orbit |
VLEO | Very Low Earth Orbit |
The following is a list of types of orbits:
For orbits centered about planets other than Earth and Mars and for the dwarf planet Pluto, the orbit names incorporating Greek terminology is less commonly used
For Earth orbiting satellites below the height of about 800 km, the atmospheric drag is the major orbit perturbing force out of all non-gravitational forces.[11] Above 800 km, solar radiation pressure causes the largest orbital perturbations.[12] However, the atmospheric drag strongly depends on the density of the upper atmosphere, which is related to the solar activity, therefore the height at which the impact of the atmospheric drag is similar to solar radiation pressure varies depending on the phase of the solar cycle.
There are two types of orbits: closed (periodic) orbits, and open (escape) orbits. Circular and elliptical orbits are closed. Parabolic and hyperbolic orbits are open. Radial orbits can be either open or closed.
Transatmospheric orbit (TAO): orbital flight with perigee less than 80 km but more than zero. Potentially used by aerobraking missions and transatmospheric vehicles, also in some temporary phases of orbital flight (e.g. STS pre OMS-2, some failures when no apogee restart)
Low Earth orbit (LEO) – The region of space below the altitude of 2000 km., pages 37–38 (6–1,6–2); figure 6-1.