Descending Node

In space and astronautical engineering, the term Descending Node refers to the point in the orbit of a satellite or a spacecraft where it crosses the equatorial plane of the celestial body it is orbiting, moving from north to south. This point is also known as the South Node. The opposite point, where the spacecraft crosses the equatorial plane moving from south to north, is called the Ascending Node or the North Node. The Descending Node is an important concept in space mission planning and control, as it is used to define the orientation of the spacecraft's orbit relative to the celestial body's equator. This information is crucial for determining the spacecraft's ground track and for planning maneuvers such as inclination changes or orbit transfers.
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