Flight-Path Angle

Author: Tianjiang Shuo

Website: https://cislunarspace.cn

Definition

The angle between the local velocity direction and the local horizontal plane. The flight-path angle determines the distribution of thrust between radial and transverse components and is a key geometric parameter in low-thrust trajectory design. Under the tangential thrust assumption, it equals the thrust angle.

Application Value

This concept is applicable in cislunar space mission design, orbit optimization, and trajectory planning for spacecraft transfers and maneuver strategies.

Related Concepts

• Spherical Harmonic Model
• Ephemeris Model
• Artificial Libration Point
• Recursive Forgetting Factor Estimation

References

• Vellutini & Avanzini, 2014, Shape-based design of low-thrust trajectories to cislunar lagrangian point