Flight Path Angle
The flight path angle is the angle between the orbiting body's velocity vector (= the vector tangent to the instantaneous orbit) and the local horizontal. Under standard assumptions the flight path angle satisfies the equation:
where:
- is the specific relative angular momentum of the orbit,
- is orbital speed of orbiting body,
- is radial distance of orbiting body from central body,
- is the flight path angle
Read more about this topic: Elliptic Orbit
Famous quotes containing the words flight, path and/or angle:
“When the flight is not high the fall is not heavy.”
—Chinese proverb.
“To have his path made clear for him is the aspiration of every human being in our beclouded and tempestuous existence.”
—Joseph Conrad (18571924)
“The inhabitants of earth behold commonly but the dark and shadowy under side of heavens pavement; it is only when seen at a favorable angle in the horizon, morning or evening, that some faint streaks of the rich lining of the clouds are revealed.”
—Henry David Thoreau (18171862)