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Orbit
Definition of an orbit
Orbit refers to the curved path that a celestial object follows as it moves around another celestial object due to the gravitational attraction between them. In space domain terminology, it describes the trajectory of spacecraft, satellites, debris, or other objects as they travel around planets, moons, or stars.
Orbits can be circular or elliptical in shape and are characterized by parameters such as:
- Semi-major axis: This defines the size of the orbit and is the longest diameter of the ellipse.
- Eccentricity: This measures the deviation of the orbit from a perfect circle. An orbit with an eccentricity of 0 is circular, while values closer to 1 indicate more elongated orbits.
- Inclination: The tilt of the orbit's plane relative to the equatorial plane of the celestial body it surrounds, expressed in degrees.
- Orbital period: The time it takes for an object to complete one full orbit around its celestial focus.
- Periapsis: The point in the orbit closest to the celestial body.
- Apoapsis: The point in the orbit furthest from the celestial body.
Orbits are influenced by various factors such as gravitational forces, the presence of other nearby objects, atmospheric drag (for lower altitude orbits), and any propulsion forces applied to the object. In the context of space situational awareness and traffic management, understanding and predicting orbits is crucial for tracking satellites, avoiding collisions, and managing space operations efficiently.
Why orbit knowledge matters for SSA/STM operations
Orbit knowledge is the foundation of day-to-day SSA/STM operations: operators must continuously estimate and predict where satellites and debris will be (and with what uncertainty) to assess conjunction risk, schedule mission activities, and coordinate at scale across crowded regimes like LEO.
Small changes in orbital parameters, driven by atmospheric drag, maneuvering, or perturbations, can quickly degrade predictions, increasing false alarms or missed close approaches. Accurate, timely orbit determination and propagation therefore directly supports safer maneuver decisions, more efficient constellation management, and better long-term space sustainability through reliable tracking and responsible end-of-life planning.
How Look Up supports orbit-related operations
Look Up supports orbit-related operations by detecting and tracking objects in LEO with SORASYS radars down to a few cm, with centimetric accuracy and low-latency processing, feeding fresh measurements that reduce orbital uncertainty and help maintain a timely “space picture.”
Through the SYNAPSE digital platform, Look Up fuses Look Up sensor data with external data to catalogue objects, generate comprehensive object ID cards, and deliver alerts and analytics via API or interface (with on-premises deployment options for secure operations).
This enables actionable services such as collision avoidance support with collision avoidance predictions at a 99.9% accuracy rate, orbital manoeuvres detection, and tailored maneuver recommendations aligned with mission constraints, improving decision speed and reducing operational risk for fleet and constellation operators.
We deliver space situational awareness (SSA) and space domain awareness (SDA) solutions that help secure active satellites and ensure safe operations in the ever-growing expanse of space.