Eccentricity
In space and astronautical engineering, eccentricity refers to the measure of how much an orbit deviates from a perfect circle. It is a dimensionless parameter that describes the shape of an orbit. Eccentricity is defined as the ratio of the distance between the foci of the ellipse and the major axis of the ellipse. An orbit with an eccentricity of 0 is a perfect circle, while an orbit with an eccentricity of 1 is a parabolic escape trajectory. Eccentricity plays a crucial role in determining the behavior of objects in orbit, including their speed, altitude, and period. It is also an important factor in the design and operation of spacecraft, as it affects the amount of fuel required for orbital maneuvers and the stability of the spacecraft during re-entry.
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