// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Orbital Energy
The total mechanical energy of a satellite in orbit, which is the sum of its kinetic energy (due to motion) and potential energy (due to its position in a gravitational field).
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Orbital Energy (E) is the total mechanical energy of an orbiting body, defined as the sum of its kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy, which remains constant in an ideal two-body system and determines the orbit's size and shape (e.g., negative for elliptical, zero for parabolic).
BACKGROUND
The International Space Station (ISS) is a space station in low Earth orbit (LEO). It is the product of the International Space Station program and is operated by five partner space agencies: NASA, Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (Europe), JAXA (Japan), and CSA (Canada). It is the first space station built, maintained and crewed through international cooperation and the largest human spacecraft ever constructed. It is an orbital research station, where scientific experiments in microgravity are conducted and the space environment is studied. Since 2 November 2000, it has hosted the longest continuous presence of humans in space. Alongside Tiangong, it is one of the only two currently operational space stations.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Total mechanical energy
- specific orbital energy
USAGE NOTE
A conserved quantity in a two-body system, fundamental for understanding orbital transfers and escape trajectories.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Orbital Energy.
A research initiative at the California Institute of Technology that successfully launched and tested the MAPLE (Microwave Array for Power-transfer Low-orbit Experiment) prototype, demonstrating the ability to wirelessly transmit power in space and beam detectable energy to Earth.
As a key partner for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Northrop Grumman developed the Arachne payload for the SSPIDR project, designed to demonstrate key technologies for a space-based solar power system, specifically focusing on radio frequency (RF) beaming.
The AFRL is leading the Space Solar Power Incremental Demonstrations and Research (SSPIDR) project, a series of experiments to mature critical technologies needed to harvest solar energy in space and transmit it to Earth for military and civilian use.
ESA is advancing its SOLARIS initiative to research the feasibility of space-based solar power. The program aims to make informed decisions by 2025 on developing a full-scale commercial energy-from-space program for Europe.
JAXA has been a long-term pioneer in the research of Space Solar Power Systems (SSPS). The agency is developing plans to launch a demonstrator by 2025 that will test the transmission of solar power from orbit to a receiving station on the ground.
A startup focused on developing a constellation of satellites in Molniya orbit to provide continuous, globally distributable, and clean baseload power to Earth through space-based solar power technology.
Develops ultrathin, radiation-hardened silicon solar cells and blankets that are significantly lighter and more cost-effective than traditional space solar panels. This technology is a critical enabler for large-scale orbital energy projects like space-based solar power.
A Swiss company specializing in laser-based wireless power transmission for space applications. Their technology is designed for beaming power between satellites, from orbit to lunar or Martian rovers, and potentially for Earth-bound power transmission.