// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Retrograde
Describes an orbit or rotation that is opposite to the direction of the primary body's rotation. For Earth, this means moving westward.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Retrograde motion refers to an orbital or rotational direction that is opposite to the primary body's rotation (e.g., westward for Earth-orbiting satellites), typically requiring more energy to launch into compared to prograde orbits as it works against Earth's rotational velocity.
BACKGROUND
The billionaire space race is the rivalry among entrepreneurs who have entered the space industry from other industries – particularly computing. This private spaceflight race involves sending privately developed rockets and vehicles to various destinations in space, often in response to government programs or to develop the space tourism sector. Some of this competitiveness is part of the New Space Race.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Backward orbit
- westward orbit
- counter-rotational
USAGE NOTE
Some specialized reconnaissance satellites use retrograde orbits to achieve unique ground track patterns.