AEM 360 Astronautics
Glossary
Additional definitions will be added throughout the semester, as new terms are introduced in class.
astronautics - Astronautics is the science and engineering of systems capable of flight beyond a planetary atmosphere. Examples of astronautic systems including launch vehicles, spacecraft, and other space related technology.
delta-V - Delta-V is the term that refers to a change in a spacecraft's speed.
orbit - The term orbit refers to the curved path, or trajectory, taken by one object as it revolves around a second object. An orbit results from the interaction of the gravitational forces produced by the objects.
orbital mechanics - The branch of astronautics that mathematically describes and predicts the orbital behavior of satellites (also called astrodynamics or orbital analysis).
spacecraft - The term spacecraft refers to the system of systems that make up a vehicle (or platform) designed to travel through space.
speed of light - The speed of light is 299,792,458 m/s (in a vacuum).
astronautics - Astronautics is the science and engineering of systems capable of flight beyond a planetary atmosphere. Examples of astronautic systems including launch vehicles, spacecraft, and other space related technology.
delta-V - Delta-V is the term that refers to a change in a spacecraft's speed.
orbit - The term orbit refers to the curved path, or trajectory, taken by one object as it revolves around a second object. An orbit results from the interaction of the gravitational forces produced by the objects.
orbital mechanics - The branch of astronautics that mathematically describes and predicts the orbital behavior of satellites (also called astrodynamics or orbital analysis).
spacecraft - The term spacecraft refers to the system of systems that make up a vehicle (or platform) designed to travel through space.
speed of light - The speed of light is 299,792,458 m/s (in a vacuum).