Orbital Visualizer

What does this tool show? (Click to expand) ▼

This visualizer lets you play with all six classical orbital elements in real time.

• a (semi-major axis) — size of the orbit
• e (eccentricity) — shape (0 = circle)
• i (inclination) — tilt relative to equator
• Ω (RAAN) — rotation of the orbital plane
• ω (argument of perigee) — rotation of the ellipse inside the plane
• ν (true anomaly) — current position of the satellite

Watch how changing inclination and RAAN affects the ground track projection.