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Definition

Inclination

The angle between the orbital plane and the equatorial plane. Determines the range of latitudes the spacecraft ground track covers. A 90-degree inclination is a polar orbit.

Related terms

Ground Segment

The collection of ground-based systems that support a space mission, including ground stations, mission control centers,...

Highly Elliptical OrbitHEO

An orbit with high eccentricity, providing long dwell times over specific regions at apogee. Molniya and Tundra orbits a...

International Traffic in Arms RegulationsITAR

US regulations controlling the export and import of defense-related articles, services, and technical data. Most spacecr...

Link Budget

A detailed accounting of all gains and losses in a communications link from transmitter to receiver. Includes transmit p...

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