subsatellites
Moons of moons
Subsatellites are smaller satellites deployed from or orbiting around a larger satellite or spacecraft.
The term applies to objects that maintain a secondary orbital relationship—either released from a parent craft to perform specialized tasks or naturally captured into orbit around a larger body.
In lunar missions, subsatellites were ejected to study gravitational fields and particle environments: Apollo 15 released a subsatellite to map the Moon's mass concentrations.
Primary vessel carrying others
- ejectionForced removal from somewhere
- separationState of being apart
- releaseTo let go
- dispenserDevice that releases portions
carrier · launch · swarm · constellation · formation flying · rendezvous · docking · cluster
Orbit's closest point
- apogeeHighest orbital point
- ellipticalOval-shaped or indirect
- inclinationDisposition toward something
- trajectoryPath of moving object
orbital · revolution · gravity · velocity · altitude · eccentricity · stationkeeping · orbital mechanics
Propulsion devices for steering
- attitude controlRegulating rotational position
- solar panelsLight-converting power generators
- power systemsInfrastructure for energy delivery
- sensorsDevices that detect input
payloads · propulsion · gyroscope · thermal control · onboard computer · MEMS
Miniature artificial orbital bodies
- microsatellitesBrief repetitive DNA sequences
- miniaturizationReducing physical scale significantly
- modularMade of separable units
- standardizedMade uniform across cases
Broadcast signal receiver
- transmissionSending of information
- signalMessage-conveying cue
- receiverOne who accepts transmission
- relayStage-by-stage transmission
uplink · downlink · transponder · bandwidth · frequency · modulation · crosslink · telemetry
Gathering data without contact
- magnetosphereCelestial body's protective field
- ionosphereCharged upper atmospheric layer
- space weatherSun-driven orbital environment conditions
- scientific instrumentsTools for empirical measurement
calibration · validation · data collection · imaging · spectrometry
mothership
Primary vessel carrying others
- ejectionForced removal from somewhere
- separationState of being apart
- releaseTo let go
dispenser · carrier · launch · swarm · constellation · formation flying · rendezvous · docking · cluster · coordinated
perigee
Orbit's closest point
- apogeeHighest orbital point
- ellipticalOval-shaped or indirect
- inclinationDisposition toward something
trajectory · orbital · revolution · gravity · velocity · altitude · eccentricity · stationkeeping · orbital mechanics · decay
thrusters
Propulsion devices for steering
- attitude controlRegulating rotational position
- solar panelsLight-converting power generators
- power systemsInfrastructure for energy delivery
sensors · payloads · propulsion · gyroscope · thermal control · onboard computer · MEMS
nanosatellites
Miniature artificial orbital bodies
- microsatellitesBrief repetitive DNA sequences
- miniaturizationReducing physical scale significantly
- modularMade of separable units
antenna
Broadcast signal receiver
- transmissionSending of information
- signalMessage-conveying cue
- receiverOne who accepts transmission
relay · uplink · downlink · transponder · bandwidth · frequency · modulation · crosslink · telemetry · beacon
remote sensing
Gathering data without contact
- magnetosphereCelestial body's protective field
- ionosphereCharged upper atmospheric layer
- space weatherSun-driven orbital environment conditions
scientific instruments · calibration · validation · data collection · imaging · spectrometry
subsatellitesplanets
Star-orbiting celestial bodies
moons · natural satellites · stars · suns · barycenter