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Definition

Eccentricity

A dimensionless orbital element describing how much an orbit deviates from a perfect circle. Values range from 0 (circular) to 1 (parabolic escape). Most LEO missions fly e < 0.01.

Related terms

Eclipse

The period during an orbit when the spacecraft is in the shadow of the central body and cannot generate solar power. Ecl...

End of LifeEOL

The planned end of a spacecraft's operational mission. EOL power and thermal analysis accounts for degradation of solar ...

Two-Line Element SetTLE

A standardized 70-character text format for representing the orbital elements of an Earth-orbiting object at a specific ...

Right Ascension of the Ascending NodeRAAN

The angle from the vernal equinox to the ascending node of an orbit, measured eastward in the equatorial plane. One of t...

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