Earth orbit

Earth orbit is an orbit around the planet Earth. The Moon, Earth's only natural satellite, is in Earth orbit. Artificial satellites are launched into Earth orbit, and spacecraft bound for other locations in the solar system usually begin their missions by first attaining Earth orbit, before altering course to another planet, moon, or heliocentric (solar) orbit.

Of special interest are LEO (Low Earth Orbit), HEO (High Earth Orbit) and geosynchronous orbit.

• Low Earth orbit
• High Earth orbit
• Intermediate circular orbit
• Geostationary orbit
• Geosynchronous orbit
• Geostationary transfer orbit
• Molniya orbit
• Polar orbit

See also

• Orbital spaceflight
• Sub-orbital spaceflight
• Difference between sub-orbital and orbital spaceflights
• Escape velocity