2006-10-08 01:43:11 · 4 answers · asked by Tom 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Yes, it's a hyperbola shape. What's special about such an orbit is that it is not "closed"; an object in hyperbolic orbit always is moving at greater than escape velocity and thus is always on its way somewhere else. See the ref.
2006-10-08 02:07:56 · answer #1 · answered by kirchwey 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Basically there are two geometric shapes for artificial satellite orbits--elliptical and hyperbolic. An example of an elliptical orbit would be one like the space shuttle follows around and around the earth. A hyperbolic orbit is more of an 'open' orbit with no clearly defined path. A picture is worth a thousand words, so see this website ==>
http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/conghand/traject.htm
2006-10-08 09:44:31 · answer #2 · answered by Chug-a-Lug 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you mean hyperbolic ? It is the shape you get when drawing the graph of a hyperbolic function. Starts off gently sloping, then rapid increase of slope until almost vertical....
2006-10-08 08:49:40 · answer #3 · answered by john r 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
I think you ment hyperbolic curve.
So, here is a site that revised my memory of the same.
Hope it helps.
http://www.joensuu.fi/mathematics/DidMat/Ehmke/seminar-joensuu/projects/HypGrP.html
And this was a fun site to go through too.
http://www.k12.hi.us/~mathappl/MAch3Curves.html
Peace out.
2006-10-08 09:05:19 · answer #4 · answered by Pradyumna N 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋