Subsynchronous orbit
Encyclopedia
A subsynchronous orbit is an orbit
of a satellite
that is nearer the planet than it would be if it were in synchronous orbit
, i.e. the orbital period is less than the sidereal day of the planet. An Earth satellite that is in (a prograde
) subsynchronous orbit will appear to drift eastward as seen from the Earth's surface.
Orbit
In physics, an orbit is the gravitationally curved path of an object around a point in space, for example the orbit of a planet around the center of a star system, such as the Solar System...
of a satellite
Satellite
In the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavour. Such objects are sometimes called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural satellites such as the Moon....
that is nearer the planet than it would be if it were in synchronous orbit
Synchronous orbit
A synchronous orbit is an orbit in which an orbiting body has a period equal to the average rotational period of the body being orbited , and in the same direction of rotation as that body.-Properties:...
, i.e. the orbital period is less than the sidereal day of the planet. An Earth satellite that is in (a prograde
Prograde
Prograde can refer to:*Prograde or direct motion, in astronomy, a type of motion of astronomical bodies* Prograde metamorphism, in geology, describes mineral changes in rocks under increasing pressure and/or temperature conditions...
) subsynchronous orbit will appear to drift eastward as seen from the Earth's surface.
See also
- Supersynchronous orbit
- List of orbits