Spike Spiegel
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- Feb 12, 2009
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I understand how to achieve a circular orbit with a spacecraft, thanks to Orbiter. What I don't understand is how natural objects do it. I saw a post in the forum asking the same question, but it was off-topic and the answer was basically "tidal interactions over a long time". (I'm paraphrasing a bit.)
I'm trying to understand the process in more detail. My assumption is that an object would have to come in at just the right speed (say, slower than escape velocity for the larger body) and just the right angle. Initially, my questions are:
1. What's the "right" speed?
2. What's the "right" angle?
3. How does the orbit become circular (or low eccentricity)?
I'm trying to understand the process in more detail. My assumption is that an object would have to come in at just the right speed (say, slower than escape velocity for the larger body) and just the right angle. Initially, my questions are:
1. What's the "right" speed?
2. What's the "right" angle?
3. How does the orbit become circular (or low eccentricity)?