What is the name of the closest or lowest point of an orbit?

Prepare for the Spaatz Aerospace Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Learn with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The correct answer refers to the closest point of an orbit around a celestial body. In orbital mechanics, when discussing orbits related to Earth or any other body, the term that describes the closest approach is "perigee." This term specifically relates to orbits around Earth.

For further context, apogee is the term used to describe the farthest point in an orbit around Earth, while periapsis is a more general term that applies to any type of orbit around any body, including planets and moons. The ecliptic, on the other hand, refers to the plane of Earth's orbit around the Sun and is not related to the specific points of an orbit.

Understanding these terms is crucial for discussing the dynamics of satellite orbits and the mechanics of other bodies in space.

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