Re:The first on-orbit fuel depot has been deployed
by jjk166 on Wednesday July 07, 2021 @07:33PM
(#27766971)
> Even a measly 5 degree change
Let's remember that a 5 degree change in plane shifts the satellite over 590 km. If we pretend for a moment that satellites in LEO were evenly distributed, that 5 degree slice would contain the orbits of 53 of them. In reality, satellites tend to be placed in similar orbits.
Also your equation is for circular orbit inclination change at constant altitude, in practice you can do much more efficient plane change maneuvers by going into a higher and more elliptical orbit, changing inclination, and then returning to your original altitude and eccentricity.
Let's remember that a 5 degree change in plane shifts the satellite over 590 km. If we pretend for a moment that satellites in LEO were evenly distributed, that 5 degree slice would contain the orbits of 53 of them. In reality, satellites tend to be placed in similar orbits.
Also your equation is for circular orbit inclination change at constant altitude, in practice you can do much more efficient plane change maneuvers by going into a higher and more elliptical orbit, changing inclination, and then returning to your original altitude and eccentricity.