Glossary Terms Archive - Page 14 of 25 - TSTI

Archives: Glossary Terms

TSTI Admin No Comments October 7, 2024

elliptical transfer orbit

The elliptical-shaped pathThe elliptical-shaped pathThe elliptical-shaped path a satellite takes in going from one circular orbit to another as part of a Hohmann Transfer. More a satellite takes in going from one circular orbitA circular orbit has no perigee. In this case, we have no argument of perigee, or true anomaly, because both use perigee as a reference. More to another as part of a HohmannThe elliptical-shaped path a satellite takes in going from one circular orbit to another as part of a Hohmann Transfer. More Transfer. More a satellite takes in going from one circular orbitA circular orbitA circular orbit has no perigee. In this case, we have no argument of perigee, or true anomaly, because both use perigee as a reference. More has no perigee. In this case, we have no argument of perigeeFor the fifth orbital element, we measure the angle along the orbital path between the ascending node and perigee and call it the argument of perigee. We always measure this angle in the direction of spacecraft motion. More, or true anomalyThe angle along the orbital path from perigee to the spacecraft's position vector. Tells us the location of the spacecraft in its orbit. It is the only COE that changes constantly even when all two-body equation of motion assumptions hold true. More, because both use perigee as a […]

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TSTI Admin No Comments April 2, 2026

elliptical transfer orbit

The elliptical-shaped pathThe elliptical-shaped path a satellite takes in going from one circular orbit to another as part of a Hohmann Transfer. More a satellite takes in going from one circular orbitA circular orbit has no perigee. In this case, we have no argument of perigee, or true anomaly, because both use perigee as a […]

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TSTI Admin No Comments April 2, 2026

emissivity

The fraction of absorbed electromagnetic energyWe use the angle of incidenceWe use the angle of incidence, θ, to determine how much solar energy hits a solar panel. This angle lies between a line perpendicular to the cell and the Sun line. More, θ, to determine how much solar energyWe use the angle of incidence, θ, to determine how much solar energy hits a solar panel. This angle lies between a line perpendicular to the cell and the Sun line. More hits a solar panel. This angleWe use the angle of incidence, θ, to determine how much solar energy hits a solar panel. This angle lies between a line perpendicular to the cell and the Sun line. More lies between a line perpendicular to the cell and the Sun line. More that an object releases. A perfect black body emits 100% of its energyWe use the angle of incidenceWe use the angle of incidence, θ, to determine how much solar energy hits a solar panel. This angle lies between a line perpendicular to the cell and the Sun line. More, […]

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TSTI Admin No Comments April 2, 2026

engineering model

An entire spacecraft built exactly like the flight modelThe spacecraft built to launch. It goes through acceptance tests, but not the tests that might damage it. The manufacturer ships it to the launch site after the engineering and testing models pass their checks and tests. More, used for system checks and non-destructive tests. If it […]

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TSTI Admin No Comments April 2, 2026

Environmental Control and Life-Support Subsystem (ECLSS)

The job of the spacecraft ECLSS is to provide the required temperatureA method to maintain a spacecraft’s internal temperatureA method to maintain a spacecraft's internal temperature using a closed-loop control system to measure current temperature and adjust inputs, outputs and internal heat flow. It requires a working fluid, heaters, pumps, or other mechanical devices. More using a closed-loop control systemAn assembly of devices that receive inputs, decide to change the plant conditions, act to change the plant, measure the plant outputs, and adjust the inputs to improve the outputs. More to measure currentWe define current,i, as the rate at which charges flow through a given area, such as the cross section of a wire. The unit for current is amperes (amps), which equals the charges flowing per second. More temperatureA method to maintain a spacecraft's internal temperature using a closed-loop control system to measure current temperature and adjust inputs, outputs and internal heat flow. It requires a working fluid, heaters, pumps, or other mechanical devices. More and adjust inputs, outputs and internal heat flowA method to maintain a spacecraft's internal temperature using a closed-loop control system to measure current temperature and adjust inputs, outputs and internal heat flow. It requires a working fluid, heaters, pumps, or other mechanical devices. More. It requires a working fluid, heaters, pumps, or other mechanical devices. More, atmosphereThe reference frameThe reference frame used to analyze a space vehicle’s motion after leaving orbit until it lands. Its origin is at the vehicle’s center of mass at the beginning of re-entry. More used to analyze a […]

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TSTI Admin No Comments April 2, 2026

environmental testing

Investigations into how well a spacecraft will survive the heat, cold, vacuum, radiation, vibration, and g-loading during its mission.

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TSTI Admin No Comments April 2, 2026

equation of motion

A shorthand way to describe an object’s pathThe elliptical-shaped path a satellite takes in going from one circular orbit to another as part of a Hohmann Transfer. More. Using symbols (variables) that represent motionA rotating object’s spinA rotating object’s spin rate. We use the right-hand rule to determine its direction. More rate. We use the right-hand rule to determine its direction. More along an axis line, engineers form equations of motionA rotating object’s spin rate. We use the right-hand rule to determine its direction. More for almost any object.

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TSTI Admin No Comments April 2, 2026

error analysis

Measuring how accurately equations of motionA rotating object’s spin rate. We use the right-hand rule to determine its direction. More describe an object’s motion. Engineers measure the difference between motion equations’ predicted and observed motionA rotating object’s spinA rotating object’s spin rate. We use the right-hand rule to determine its direction. More rate. We use the right-hand rule to determine its direction. More. The errors show how well the […]

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TSTI Admin No Comments April 2, 2026

exotic propulsion systems

Far-out propulsion-system ideas that create thrustA type of rocket system that heats a propellant by passing it through a sustained electric arc, then ejects the energized gas through a nozzle. Its specific impulse is high compared to chemical rockets, but its thrust is very low. More in novel ways. Solar sails and tethers are examples that produce thrustA type of rocketA fluid-dynamics concept that says as low-velocity gases pass into the converging part of a nozzle, they accelerate to the speed of sound at the narrowest section (throat). Then, after they pass through the throat, they expand and accelerate to supersonic speeds. This principle is the basis for creating thrust in a thermodynamic rocket. More system that heats a propellantA type of rocket system that heats a propellant by passing it through a sustained electric arc, then ejects the energized gas through a nozzle. Its specific impulse is high compared to chemical rockets, but its thrust is very low. More by passing it through a sustained electric arc, then ejects the energized gas through a nozzle. Its specific impulseA type of rocket that creates thrust by accelerating ions in an electric or a magnetic field. Their low mass flow rate means their thrust is low, but their high-exit velocity means they are very efficient (high specific impulse). More is high compared to chemical rockets, but its thrustA type of rocket system that heats a propellant by passing it through a sustained electric arc, then ejects the energized gas through a nozzle. Its specific impulse is high compared to chemical rockets, but its thrust is very low. More is […]

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TSTI Admin No Comments April 2, 2026

expansion ratio

The relative size of a thermodynamic rocketA fluid-dynamics concept that says as low-velocity gases pass into the converging part of a nozzleA type of rocket system that heats a propellant by passing it through a sustained electric arc, then ejects the energized gas through a nozzle. Its specific impulse is high compared to chemical rockets, but its thrust is very low. More, they accelerate to the speedHow fast an object's speed is changing when we apply a force to it. During acceleration, speed increases. During deceleration, speed decreases. More of sound at the narrowest section (throat). Then, after they pass through the throat, they expand and accelerate to supersonic speeds. This principle is the basis for creating […]

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