Space Regulatory Glossary Orbital Mechanics

inclination

/ˌɪnklɪˈneɪʃən/ noun

1. The angle between a satellite's orbital plane and Earth's equatorial plane, measured in degrees. An inclination of 0 degrees is an equatorial orbit; 90 degrees is a polar orbit; greater than 90 degrees is a retrograde orbit.
2. A fundamental orbital parameter specified in every satellite license application and TLE. Inclination determines which latitudes on Earth a satellite can observe or provide coverage to, and is a key factor in constellation design.

Related terms

TLE Two-Line Element set. A standardized data format for describing a satellite's orbital elements at a specific epoch,… sun-synchronous orbit A near-polar orbit in which a satellite passes over any given point on Earth's surface at the same local solar time on… LEO Low Earth orbit. An orbit around Earth at altitudes between approximately 160 km and 2,000 km.

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