Some planets and moons in Kerbal Space Program have a perfectly circular orbit because they move on “rails” no physical interaction can change the properties. It is possible, however, to get the eccentricity very close to 0 or 1 which can then be considered as circular or parabolic respectively. Circular and parabolic orbits are not common if not impossible, as the maneuvers have to be extremely precise. If the eccentricity is above or equal to 1 the orbit is escaping the body. In a hyperbolic orbit the eccentricity is above 1.In a parabolic orbit the eccentricity is exactly 1.In an elliptical orbit the eccentricity is between 0 and 1.In a circular orbit the eccentricity is exactly 0.There are different eccentricities, although usually the orbital eccentricity is used for orbital mechanics. The eccentricity gives how circular the orbit is. Using a for the apoapsis is not recommended as it can generate confusion with the semi-major axis which usually uses that variable name.Įccentric orbits (white) and a non-eccentric orbit (blue) → See also: Orbital eccentricity on Wikipedia In real world science an uppercase Q is used for apoapsides and a lowercase q for periapsides because variables usually only contain one letter. In Kerbal Space Program the apsides are usually abbreviated to “Ap” and “Pe” which corresponds with the two markers on the orbit. Apokee or apokerb for the apoapsis of an orbit around Kerbin and similar perikee or perikerb for the periapsis around Kerbin. Sometimes there are special words used for the different bodies. If an orbit is almost circular it is usually treated as perfectly circular where both apsides and the semi-major axis are identical if measured from the body's center. Elliptical orbits have usually both apsides and only no periapsis if it is below the surface. They are identical to the semi-major axis when measured from the center. The altitude, which is always the same for the orbit, is used for the apsides if required. In perfect circular orbits it is not possible to determine the apsides. Like apoapsides, periapsides in other spheres of influence are possible. The periapsis of such a trajectory is only shown if it is in the future, and as soon as the craft passes through the periapsis and is rising it vanishes. Apoapsides in other spheres of influence are possible. A craft after the most recent apoapsis and before the periapsis is falling towards the surface while a craft after the most recent periapsis and before the apoapsis is rising.įor parabolic and hyperbolic trajectories, there is no apoapsis as it the curve it describes is open. In game they are shown from the surface, while for orbital mechanics usually the values from the center of the body are relevant. There might be confusion about from which point the apsides are measured. The periapsis is not shown if it lies under the surface. The apoapsis is on the other side of the orbit and the furthest point away from the orbited celestial body. The periapsis is the lowest point of the orbit and is helpful to determine if the orbit is high enough to avoid collisions with the surface or interaction with an atmosphere. The apsides are the nearest and farthest points of the orbit. This list contains multiple values which can be calculated using other properties of the list.Īpoapsis and periapsis → See also: Apsis on Wikipedia 2.4 Kerbisynchronous equatorial orbit (KEO)Įach orbit has some basic properties which characterize them.2.3 Stationary orbit and synchronous orbit.
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