- #1
PPERERA
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I know that when a spacecraft is in orbit, the direction in which the spacecraft produces thrust affects its orbit.
If the thrust is tangent to the orbit, the orbit's shape (eccentricity and size) changes. If the thrust is perpendicular to the orbit, but tangent to the surface of the object being orbited, the orbit's inclination changes.
But what happens if the thrust is directed radially from the surface of the object being orbited?
If the thrust is tangent to the orbit, the orbit's shape (eccentricity and size) changes. If the thrust is perpendicular to the orbit, but tangent to the surface of the object being orbited, the orbit's inclination changes.
But what happens if the thrust is directed radially from the surface of the object being orbited?