Talk:Space Transport and Engineering Methods/Orbital Mechanics

conics
orbits are conic sections (as this page currently states) only when they are around a single point mass. orbits around a non-uniform planetary body (like the Moon) are not in general conics. Nor are orbits which are influenced by two or more gravitational masses. An example of that are orbits in the vicinity of the Moon like "Lagrange Point" orbits.


 * Added words to first paragraph under "Orbits" to clarify the simple formula applies to single uniform bodies, and that detailed calculations consider non-uniformity and other nearby bodies when they affect the result enough to matter. Danielravennest (discuss • contribs) 08:39, 7 September 2014 (UTC)