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+ | [[File:Andoria.jpg|thumb|[[Andoria]] orbiting a [[gas giant]]]] |
+ | [[File:USS Enterprise orbiting Earth Two, remastered.jpg|thumb|The {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}} in orbit of an [[Earth]]-like planet]] |
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− | '''Polar orbit''' is a type of [[spacecraft]] [[orbit]] that passes within 22,300 [[mile]]s of the geographic poles of a [[planet]]. |
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+ | [[File:Nimbus 1.jpg|thumb|''[[Nimbus 1]]'' in polar orbit]] |
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+ | '''Orbit''', or '''orbital path''', is a term used to describe the flight path of an object in [[space]] which has a repetitive motion and has a distinct center with respect to its flightpath. [[Orbital engineer]]s specialized in orbital technology. |
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+ | A [[starship]] uses a form of orbit to maintain its relative position. The term orbit is also used to define the flight path of a [[planet]] within its own [[star system]]. ({{ENT|The Andorian Incident}}; {{TNG|Force of Nature}}) |
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− | An image of the [[Nimbus 1]] [[satellite]] in polar orbit of [[Earth]] was seen in the [[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) library computer]]. ([[TOS]]: "[[The Cage]]") |
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+ | In [[2269]], [[Spock]] detailed to [[Abraham Lincoln]] that the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701}} was 643 miles, 2,021 feet, 2.04 inches above the surface of [[Excalbia]]. ({{TOS|The Savage Curtain}}) |
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+ | |||
+ | There are several forms of orbit; some of them are referred to by [[Starfleet]] personnel with names like "standard orbit" or "high orbit." |
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+ | |||
+ | *'''[[Synchronous orbit]]''': This form is used by a starship to maintain position towards a specific point on a planet's surface. The ship's velocity will be the same as the rotation speed of the planet. ({{TNG|Relics}}) |
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+ | *'''High orbit''': A form of orbit in which the starship maintains a large distance from the planet's surface for safety reasons but is still close enough to use the [[transporter]]. ({{VOY|Ex Post Facto|The Omega Directive}}) The {{USS|Voyager}} parked in high orbit over [[Earth]], when it visited the planet in [[1996]], at an altitude of 20,000 kilometers. ({{VOY|Future's End}}) |
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+ | *'''Polar orbit''': A type of spacecraft orbit that passes within 22,300 miles of the geographic poles of a planet. An image of the ''[[Nimbus 1]]'' [[artificial satellite|satellite]] in polar orbit of [[Earth]] was seen in the [[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) library computer|USS ''Enterprise'' library computer]]. ({{TOS|The Cage}}) A polar orbit may also be used as an [[Evasive maneuvers|evasive maneuver]], since [[Electromagnetism|electromagnetic]] interference from a planet's magnetic pole may disrupt starship [[sensor]]s. ({{TNG|Peak Performance|The Hunted}}) |
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+ | *'''Stationary orbit''' (aka '''Fixed orbit'''): In this type of orbit, the spacecraft orbits over the same spot on a planet. ({{TOS|Miri}}; {{TNG|Angel One|Interface}}; {{ENT|Terra Nova|These Are the Voyages...}}) |
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+ | *'''[[Emergency orbit]]''': assumed by a starship in the event of a crisis onboard. ({{TNG|Legacy}}) |
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+ | *'''[[Decaying orbit]]''': In this type of orbit, the spacecraft will decrease its distance from the planet until it burns up in the planet's atmosphere. ({{TOS|The Galileo Seven}}, {{ENT|Canamar}}) |
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+ | {{bginfo|It is safe to assume that standard and high orbit are simply orbits with a set of predefined speed and altitude parameters.}} |
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+ | |||
+ | [[Terok Nor]] (later [[Deep Space 9]]), was in synchronous orbit of [[Bajor]] during the [[Occupation of Bajor|Occupation]]. ({{DS9|Emissary|Necessary Evil|Wrongs Darker Than Death or Night}}) |
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+ | == See also == |
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+ | * [[Objects in Earth orbit]] |
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+ | * [[Orbital bombardment]] |
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+ | * [[Orbital habitat]] |
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+ | * [[Orbital skydiving]] |
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+ | * [[Orbital tether]] |
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+ | * [[Tidal locking]] |
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+ | |||
+ | == External links == |
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+ | * {{wikipedia}} |
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+ | * {{wikipedia|Synchronous orbit}} |
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+ | * {{wikipedia|Geostationary orbit}} |
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+ | * {{wikipedia|Stationary orbit}} |
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+ | * {{wikipedia|Orbital decay}} |
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+ | * {{mbeta}} |
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+ | |||
+ | [[de:Orbit]] |
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+ | [[fr:Orbite]] |
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+ | [[it:Orbita]] |
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+ | [[ja:軌道]] |
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+ | [[nl:Baan]] |
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+ | [[sr:Орбита]] |
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+ | [[Category:Geoscience]] |
Revision as of 09:22, 20 December 2019
Orbit, or orbital path, is a term used to describe the flight path of an object in space which has a repetitive motion and has a distinct center with respect to its flightpath. Orbital engineers specialized in orbital technology.
A starship uses a form of orbit to maintain its relative position. The term orbit is also used to define the flight path of a planet within its own star system. (ENT: "The Andorian Incident"; TNG: "Force of Nature")
In 2269, Spock detailed to Abraham Lincoln that the USS Enterprise was 643 miles, 2,021 feet, 2.04 inches above the surface of Excalbia. (TOS: "The Savage Curtain")
There are several forms of orbit; some of them are referred to by Starfleet personnel with names like "standard orbit" or "high orbit."
- Synchronous orbit: This form is used by a starship to maintain position towards a specific point on a planet's surface. The ship's velocity will be the same as the rotation speed of the planet. (TNG: "Relics")
- High orbit: A form of orbit in which the starship maintains a large distance from the planet's surface for safety reasons but is still close enough to use the transporter. (VOY: "Ex Post Facto", "The Omega Directive") The USS Voyager parked in high orbit over Earth, when it visited the planet in 1996, at an altitude of 20,000 kilometers. (VOY: "Future's End")
- Polar orbit: A type of spacecraft orbit that passes within 22,300 miles of the geographic poles of a planet. An image of the Nimbus 1 satellite in polar orbit of Earth was seen in the USS Enterprise library computer. (TOS: "The Cage") A polar orbit may also be used as an evasive maneuver, since electromagnetic interference from a planet's magnetic pole may disrupt starship sensors. (TNG: "Peak Performance", "The Hunted")
- Stationary orbit (aka Fixed orbit): In this type of orbit, the spacecraft orbits over the same spot on a planet. (TOS: "Miri"; TNG: "Angel One", "Interface"; ENT: "Terra Nova", "These Are the Voyages...")
- Emergency orbit: assumed by a starship in the event of a crisis onboard. (TNG: "Legacy")
- Decaying orbit: In this type of orbit, the spacecraft will decrease its distance from the planet until it burns up in the planet's atmosphere. (TOS: "The Galileo Seven", ENT: "Canamar")
Terok Nor (later Deep Space 9), was in synchronous orbit of Bajor during the Occupation. (DS9: "Emissary", "Necessary Evil", "Wrongs Darker Than Death or Night")
See also
- Objects in Earth orbit
- Orbital bombardment
- Orbital habitat
- Orbital skydiving
- Orbital tether
- Tidal locking
External links
- Orbit at Wikipedia
- Synchronous orbit at Wikipedia
- Geostationary orbit at Wikipedia
- Stationary orbit at Wikipedia
- Orbital decay at Wikipedia
- Orbit at Memory Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works