subsatellite
Moon's own moon
A subsatellite is a smaller satellite deployed from a larger one already in orbit.
The term also describes a satellite orbiting a moon rather than a planet directly—though such objects are theoretical.
In telecommunications, a subsatellite point is the spot on Earth's surface directly beneath a satellite at any given moment.
Forced removal from somewhere
- releaseTo let go
- separationState of being apart
- jettisonDeliberately discard, especially cargo
- dispenserDevice that releases portions
spring-loaded · mothership · carrier · tether · spin-up · checkout · activation · commissioning
Lesser in rank
- subordinateOne lower in rank
- companionOne who keeps company
- daughterFemale child of parents
- piggybackCarried on another's back
rideshare · inspector · servicing · proximity · support · ancillary · supplementary · attached
Path of moving object
- perigeeOrbit's closest point
- apogeeHighest orbital point
- inclinationDisposition toward something
- eccentricityUnconventional behavior or nature
revolution · polar · equatorial · elliptical · circular · delta-v · rendezvous · trailing
Systematic observation of subjects
- trackingMonitoring location over time
- observationAttentive watching or remark
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
- sensorsDevices that detect input
radar · imagery · telemetry · mapping · detection · magnetometer · spectrometer
Systematic testing of ideas
- magnetosphereCelestial body's protective field
- ionosphereCharged upper atmospheric layer
- ApolloSun deity, moonshot namesake
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
Tightly packed together
- lightweightLacking mass or importance
- low-powerUsing minimal energy
- MEMSMicroscale electromechanical devices
ejection
Forced removal from somewhere
- releaseTo let go
- separationState of being apart
- jettisonDeliberately discard, especially cargo
dispenser · spring-loaded · mothership · carrier · tether · spin-up · checkout · activation · commissioning · staging
secondary
Lesser in rank
- subordinateOne lower in rank
- companionOne who keeps company
- daughterFemale child of parents
piggyback · rideshare · inspector · servicing · proximity · support · ancillary · supplementary · attached · released
trajectory
Path of moving object
- perigeeOrbit's closest point
- apogeeHighest orbital point
- inclinationDisposition toward something
eccentricity · revolution · polar · equatorial · elliptical · circular · delta-v · rendezvous · trailing · leading
surveillance
Systematic observation of subjects
- trackingMonitoring location over time
- observationAttentive watching or remark
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
sensors · radar · imagery · telemetry · mapping · detection · magnetometer · spectrometer
experimentation
Systematic testing of ideas
- magnetosphereCelestial body's protective field
- ionosphereCharged upper atmospheric layer
- ApolloSun deity, moonshot namesake
compact
Tightly packed together
- lightweightLacking mass or importance
- low-powerUsing minimal energy
- MEMSMicroscale electromechanical devices
subsatellitemoon
Natural planetary satellite
natural satellite · planet · star · sun · parent body