// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Elliptical Orbit
An elliptical orbit is a path an object takes around another object where the path is shaped like an ellipse, not a perfect circle. This means the distance between the two objects changes over time.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
An elliptical orbit describes the Keplerian trajectory of a celestial body or spacecraft around a central mass, characterized by varying radial distance (periapsis and apoapsis) and a constant orbital energy, fundamental in astrodynamics for mission planning.
BACKGROUND
A low Earth orbit (LEO) is an orbit around Earth with a period of 128 minutes or less and an eccentricity less than 0.25. Most of the artificial objects in outer space are in LEO, peaking in number at an altitude around 800 km (500 mi), while the farthest in LEO, before medium Earth orbit (MEO), have an altitude of 2,000 kilometers, about one-third of the radius of Earth and near the beginning of the inner Van Allen radiation belt.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Oval orbit
- eccentric orbit
- non-circular orbit
- Keplerian ellipse
USAGE NOTE
Most natural and artificial orbits are elliptical due to gravitational interactions.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Elliptical Orbit.
JPL designs and manages complex interplanetary missions for NASA. These missions, such as the Juno mission to Jupiter or the Parker Solar Probe, utilize highly elliptical orbits to achieve specific scientific objectives, perform gravity assists, and manage thermal loads.
As a leading launch provider, SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets frequently deliver satellites to Geostationary Transfer Orbits (GTO), which are highly elliptical. Mastering these trajectories is fundamental to their business of placing communication and other satellites into their final positions.
This satellite radio provider operates a constellation of satellites, some of which are in highly elliptical orbits (HEO), specifically Tundra orbits. This orbital type allows their satellites to 'dwell' over North America for extended periods, ensuring continuous broadcast coverage.
The Russian state space corporation has historically pioneered and utilized highly elliptical orbits. They developed the Molniya orbit, specifically designed to provide communications and surveillance coverage over Russia's high-latitude territories, a region poorly served by geostationary satellites.
A European launch services company that specializes in placing satellites into a variety of orbits. A significant portion of their missions with Ariane rockets are dedicated to inserting large telecommunications satellites into elliptical Geostationary Transfer Orbits (GTO).
A federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) that provides technical guidance for U.S. national security space missions. They perform deep analysis of orbital mechanics, mission design, and constellation management, including for systems in highly elliptical orbits used for missile warning and intelligence gathering.
A major aerospace and defense company that builds spacecraft and provides in-space servicing. Their satellites, such as those for missile warning systems (e.g., SBIRS-HEO), are specifically designed for highly elliptical orbits to provide persistent overhead surveillance of polar regions.