// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Hyperbolic Trajectory
A hyperbolic trajectory is an open, escape path that a spacecraft takes when it has enough speed to permanently leave the gravitational influence of a celestial body.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
A hyperbolic trajectory is an open, unbound orbital path (eccentricity e > 1) that a spacecraft follows when its velocity exceeds the escape velocity of a central gravitational body, leading to permanent departure from its sphere of influence.
BACKGROUND
This glossary of aerospace engineering terms pertains specifically to aerospace engineering, its sub-disciplines, and related fields including aviation and aeronautics. For a broad overview of engineering, see glossary of engineering.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Escape trajectory
- unbound orbit
- hyperbolic escape
USAGE NOTE
Interplanetary probes follow hyperbolic trajectories to leave Earth's gravitational field.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Hyperbolic Trajectory.
A federally funded research and development center managed by Caltech for NASA. JPL is a world leader in robotic deep space exploration and is responsible for designing, navigating, and communicating with spacecraft on complex hyperbolic trajectories, such as the Voyager and Mars Rover missions.
A private aerospace manufacturer whose Falcon Heavy and Starship launch systems are designed to send heavy payloads on interplanetary and deep space missions. Achieving these missions requires placing spacecraft on hyperbolic escape trajectories from Earth to reach destinations like Mars.
An intergovernmental organization dedicated to space exploration. ESA's Science Programme develops and operates missions to other planets, comets, and asteroids (e.g., Rosetta, BepiColombo, JUICE), all of which require the use of hyperbolic trajectories for interplanetary travel.
An aerospace company that provides launch services and spacecraft. Its Photon satellite bus is designed for interplanetary missions, having already sent a NASA probe to the Moon and with missions planned for Mars and Venus that will use hyperbolic trajectories.
A nonprofit corporation that operates a federally funded research and development center. It provides technical expertise and analysis for national security, civil, and commercial space missions, including the complex astrodynamics and mission design required for calculating and verifying hyperbolic trajectories.
A company specializing in spacecraft dynamics and operations. They developed the Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment (CAPSTONE) for NASA and create software tools for planning complex trajectories, including low-energy and hyperbolic paths for lunar and interplanetary missions.
An aerospace company developing launch vehicles and in-space transportation. Their Elytra orbital vehicle (formerly Space Utility Vehicle) is designed to provide orbital transfer services, including payload delivery into cislunar space and executing the burns required to enter hyperbolic trajectories for planetary missions.