stationkeeping
Holding orbital position
Stationkeeping is the practice of maintaining a vessel or spacecraft in a fixed position or orbit.
Satellites require constant stationkeeping to counteract gravitational drift: The thruster fired briefly for stationkeeping.
Ships may hold station during operations like offshore drilling or rescue.
The term implies active correction rather than passive stability.
Fixed above one point
- satelliteOrbiting celestial body
- thrustersPropulsion devices for steering
- attitude controlRegulating rotational position
- delta-vSpacecraft maneuver measurement
reboost · propulsion · maneuvering · apogee · perigee · inclination · eccentricity · injection
Secure harbor spot
- mooringVessel's secured resting place
- dynamic positioningAutomated vessel location maintenance
- thrustersPropulsion devices for steering
- driftGradual movement, no direction
Automated vehicle guidance system
- GPSSatellite-based location technology
- course correctionMid-journey directional fix
- bearingPosture or orientation
- radarRadio-wave object detection
Self-modifying cyclical process
- actuatorsMovement-producing mechanisms
- servomechanismFeedback-controlled automatic mechanism
- error correctionFixing identified mistakes
- setpointPredetermined control value
trim · ballast · gyroscope · accelerometer · dampening · automation · closed-loop
geostationary
Fixed above one point
- satelliteOrbiting celestial body
- thrustersPropulsion devices for steering
- attitude controlRegulating rotational position
delta-v · reboost · propulsion · maneuvering · apogee · perigee · inclination · eccentricity · injection · ion thruster
anchorage
Secure harbor spot
- mooringVessel's secured resting place
- dynamic positioningAutomated vessel location maintenance
- thrustersPropulsion devices for steering
drift · anchor watch · windage · offshore platform · drillship
autopilot
Automated vehicle guidance system
- GPSSatellite-based location technology
- course correctionMid-journey directional fix
- bearingPosture or orientation
feedback loop
Self-modifying cyclical process
- actuatorsMovement-producing mechanisms
- servomechanismFeedback-controlled automatic mechanism
- error correctionFixing identified mistakes
setpoint · trim · ballast · gyroscope · accelerometer · dampening · automation · closed-loop
stationkeepingtransit
Movement between places
repositioning · voyage · cruising · maneuvering · Hohmann transfer
stationkeepingdrift
Gradual movement, no direction
orbital decay · deorbiting · dereliction · loss of control · perturbation
station, keeping, keep, keeper, keepers, keeps, kept, stations, stationed