// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Orbital Parameter
Any characteristic or value that helps describe an orbit, such as its size, shape, or orientation in space.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
An Orbital Parameter is any quantifiable characteristic used to describe an orbit's geometry, orientation, or state, encompassing both the classical Keplerian elements and other derived quantities like orbital period, velocity, or altitude.
BACKGROUND
Outer space, or simply space, is the expanse that exists beyond Earth's atmosphere and between celestial bodies. It contains ultra-low levels of particle densities, constituting a near-perfect vacuum of predominantly hydrogen and helium plasma, permeated by electromagnetic radiation, cosmic rays, neutrinos, magnetic fields and dust. The baseline temperature of outer space, as set by the background radiation from the Big Bang, is 2.7 kelvins.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Orbital characteristic
- orbital property
- orbital element
USAGE NOTE
Used interchangeably with orbital elements, but can also refer to derived quantities like period or velocity.