I was wondering when they show where a spacecraft is right above a flat map of the earth, how come there are usually 3 or so paths that seem to mirror the actual orbital path? It's very frequently shown on the big main screen at places like Mission Control and stuff. What do those other lines represent?
http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/icons/tracking.jpg
Thanks
2006-12-16 13:27:25 · 3 answers · asked by Alvin 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
lattitude,longitude,altitude, dude.
2006-12-16 13:32:27 · answer #1 · answered by Stanley S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The orbit is a circle, or ellipse, in a plane inclined to the Earth's equator. Since it is inclined to the equator it looks like a sine wave on a flat map projection of the world. And since that plane is fixed in space as the Earth turns under it, it looks like a series of sine waves that are offset a little each orbit on the flat map.
2006-12-16 13:56:59 · answer #2 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the extra paths are where the sattelite will be on it's next spin around the earth, and on the one after next
2006-12-16 13:29:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋